Pak: Interim set up to conduct polls after Nov 15

Islamabad, Oct 9: An interim government will be announced by the President soon after November 15 to conduct free, fair and transparent general elections in Pakistan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani said.

''Soon after November 15, President Pervez Musharraf would announce an interim setup and names of some non-political entities are under consideration in this regard. This setup would hold free, fair and transparent general elections which would pioneer a new political culture in the country,'' he said.

Mr Durrani asserted that the ruling coalition has emerged stronger after the October 6 presidential polls. ''Despite the use of secret ballot, no cross voting was done which reveals that this coalition is based on ideology,'' he said.

To a question, the Minister said the coalition government had necessary votes in the presidential poll and it did not need any additional votes.

He explained that the fact the PPP abstained from voting proved that the National Reconciliation Ordinance was not promulgated to win support of the Benazir Bhutto-led party.

''The effort was aimed at obtaining broad-based national reconciliation and trust of political parties to end politics of confrontation,'' the Minister said.

Mr Durrani also ruled by-polls to the NWFP assembly, saying elections to the provincial assembly will be held along with the general elections.

''As per constitutional provisions, by-election can be held only when an assembly is dissolved before 120 days of its maturity while the term of these assemblies would mature on November 15,'' he said.

UNI