'Govt may extend term of Pak assemblies'

Islamabad, Sep 23: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has hinted that the government may extend the term of present National and Provincial Assemblies, if the opposition members resigned from Parliament.

President Pervez Musharraf is seeking re-election from the present assemblies, the term of which is due to expire shortly.

Responding to concerns expressed by some of the ruling party members over the political scenario following the planned return of Pakistan People's Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto on October 18, the Prime Minister said there was no cause to worry. ''The government will deal with the situation when she returns,'' he added, Dawn reported.

He said the government was in contact with various political parties because ''it believes that a better and stable political environment can be created through dialogue''.

Mr Aziz exuded confidence that the ruling coalition would participate ''wholeheartedly'' in the presidential election as well as the general elections.

He claimed the performance of the government was an assurance for the success of the PML and its allies in the upcoming elections.

UNI