Islamabad: Pakistan government may postpone the October general elections and approach the Supreme Court for an extension of the three year deadline fixed by the Court while validating the military coup of October 12, 1999, a media report said on July 7.

"The general elections scheduled to be held in October 2002 are likely to be put off till March next year (2003), though for any such decision the government will have to secure an extension in the three year timeframe stipulated by the Supreme Court," a report in the local daily 'The News' said.

Though the final decision of postponing the polls has not yet been taken yet, people in the inner circle of President Pervez Musharraf administration suggest that elections should be put off till March 2003, it said.

The Supreme Court while validating the October 12 takeover has directed the government to hold elections within three years, with announcement of the election schedule 90 days before the stipulated period was expired.

The announcement according to the Pakistan Election Commission should come by July 11.

Quoting a government official, the newspaper said that a section of the government wants to put off the October polls, as finalisation of the Constitutional packages would take some time.

"A strong lobby around the President and in the government is supporting the idea of putting off the October polls till March 2003, as by that time arrangements, preparations, suitable environment and other necessary steps are taken to ensure free and fair elections," it said.

Preparations for the elections like streamlining the election machinery, appointment of staff and its training to hold free and fair elections and completion of other formalities would take another four to six months, beyond October 2002, the report said.

The issuance of identity cards for voters is still continuing, it said, adding that another difficulty the government is facing is preparing identity cards, as the new electoral rolls will include people with 18 years of age and above to exercise their rights.

However, in sharp contrast influential people do not subscribe to the idea of postponing the polls even by a day, and they want to follow the judgement of the Supreme Court in letter and spirit, the daily said.

They argue that postponement of polls will result in loss of people's trust in the government and quote the assurances given by the Musharraf, Chief Election Commissioner former chief justice Irshad Hassan Khan that elections would not be postponed.

"If the government decides to put off the polls, it has to decide as well the mechanism of how to secure the consent or approval or endorsement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan of its decision to put off the polls," the daily said.

Meanwhile, another report in the same daily said that the government would announce schedule of the forthcoming general elections next week. The possible dates could be October 7 and 10.

Chief Election Commissioner, Irshad Khan has said this weekend that government has to announce the schedule by July 11, as per dead line fixed by the Supreme Court.

The reports said that a final decision in this respect would be taken next week after consulting the Election Commission.

PTI