Source: Geo News
ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday announced to hold the general elections in the first week of January 2008.

The elections for National Assembly and provincial assemblies would be held on one day simultaneously, he said.
The Chief Electron Commissioner (CEC) should arrange to hold the general elections as soon as possible, as fast as possible before the beginning of month of Muharram, he said.

The National Assembly will stand dissolved on 15 November with the completion of its tenure first time in the history of Pakistan and the federal caretaker government would be formed.

The three remaining provincial assemblies, Sindh Assembly, Punjab Assembly and Balochistan Assembly, would stand dissolved on 20 November 2007.

Referring about shedding his uniform, Musharraf announced that he would take oath as the civilian president on the same day on which the Supreme Court gives the decision about his case.

Musharraf defended his decision to impose emergency rule, insisting he had done nothing wrong and did not violate the constitution.

He said he had taken the measure in the national interests of the country, calling it “the most difficult decision” of his life.

Pervez Musharraf said he could not give a date for lifting the state of emergency he imposed one week ago.

The military ruler said emergency rule was necessary “to ensure absolutely fair and transparent elections,” which he had earlier announced would be held before January 9.

 E-mail this article to a friend

Tags: Elections, Islamabad, Musharraf, Polls, Press Conference