Pakistan: No date for general election

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-05-2007 08:38

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf speaks in a television studio following the imposition of emergency rule in Islamabad November 3, 2007. (Press Information Department/Handout/Reuters)

Pakistan's government says it's committed to holding a general election but is undecided when it will take place. Senior Pakistani leaders made the comments one day after the country imposed an emergency rule to deal with rising militancy and a hostile judiciary.

A general election was due for January. But on Saturday and in the name of the Chief of Army Staff Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf proclaimed a state of emergency, issuing a provisional constitutional order and holding the constitution in abeyance.

The country's Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz said the state emergency will be as short as possible but as long as necessary. He said the extraordinary measures are meant to ensure effective governance.

He added that it will give law-enforcing agencies a freer hand in dealing with suspects.

A Pakistani paramilitary soldier stands alert on a roadside, a day after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, in Quetta. (AFP/Banaras Khan)

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz gesture during a news conference at prime minister house in Islamabad November 4, 2007. REUTERS/Mian Khursheed (PAKISTAN) 

Shaukat Aziz, Pakistan Prime Minister, said, "This will allow us to move faster, to take people for interrogation and then allow the law-enforcing agencies to be more effective because you are dealing with an unusual situation. And we are very confident that this will be achieved without too much time being spent."

Meanwhile, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azim said that no date had been set for a general election.

Azim said the decision will be made after the current assemblies complete their terms in November and that postponement was unlikely.

He said he hopes the state of emergency will be temporary, and added that the constitution allows the imposition.

Azim also said that Pakistan is facing the worst kind of law and order situation and that everybody hopes for a decision to be made in the country's best interest.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei