Islamabad: In a move that could further complicate formation of a coalition government in Pakistan, the Musharraf administration has said the President would not nominate any party to form the government unless he was asked to do so by the newly elected Parliament.

"The Constitutional clause that empowers President to nominate Prime Minister stands suspended," Federal Law, Minister Khahid Ranjha was quoted as saying by the state- run APP news agency.

Instead, the Pervez Musharraf government preferred that the Parliament itself elect a new Prime Minister, he said.

Ranja's comments come amid hectic efforts by the political parties to form a coalition government as no party secured majority in the October 10 general elections.

The government's decision also comes at a time when Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has asked Musharraf to initiate talks with the political parties to decide a host of issues which included future of Musharraf's Presidency, his controversial Constitutional amendments and failure of the political parties to secure proper majority to form the government.

Ranjha also ruled out Musharraf initiating any talks with the political parties, saying, "any visible effort on the part of the government would send a wrong signal".

About criticism that government deliberately delayed the convening of the Parliament session, he said the first session of the new Parliament will be convened after completion of the electoral process that includes election on the reserved seats for women and minorities.

PTI