Islamabad: As the stalemate on government formation in Pakistan continued, President Pervez Musharraf has called for a joint meeting of Cabinet and the National Security Council (NSC) on November 11 to discuss options which include scaling down powers, imposing martial law or even holding re-elections.

Confirming the meeting, Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider told reporters in Karachi on November 9 night that the issues relating to the delay over government formation would be discussed and "crucial decisions" would be taken.

Haider, for the first time, also hinted that the government was considering the option of calling for another general election if no solution was found.

"If political parties did not arrive at a settlement before convening o the National Assembly session then it would be unavoidable for the government to make another reference to the people," he said.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Nisar Memon said that the November 11 meeting could decide on convening the National Assembly (NA) session probably on November 15. The NA session was initially convened for November 8 but was postponed later.

Political parties in Pakistan had failed to form a government even one month after the general elections, which were held on October 10 and had given a hung verdict.

Haider's comments on re-election followed the refusal of anti-Musharraf coalition, comprising of 15 parties, Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) and the six religious party alliance, Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) to climb down on their demand that Musharraf should step down and seek re-election.

PTI