Islamabad: Paving the way for transfer of power to a new government, Pakistan's Parliament would elect the Prime Minister on November 21 following elections for the crucial posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker on November 19.

Election for the post of Prime Minister would be held on November 21 while the transfer of power will take place in Islamabad on November 22, Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider said addressing a meeting on November 16 night.

"Three political parties have emerged as main forces, we are hopeful that these three parties will work together in the larger national interest," he said.

Leaders of the top three parties, Pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League - Qaide Azam (PML-Q), former Premier Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and alliance of six hardline parties Muttahida Majlis-e Amal (MMA), are expected to contest for the post of Prime Minister.

PML-Q has already nominated Mir Jafarullah Khan Jamali as the Prime Ministerial candidate. Jamali claimed to have the support of over 170 members in the 342-member National Assembly.

PPP, which emerged second in the October 10 polls with 81 members, has nominated Mukhdhum Amin Fahim as its candidate for Prime Ministership while MMA with 60 members has named pro-Taleban Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the post.

Meanwhile, officials have announced a revised schedule for the elections of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, which would now be held on November 19.

As per the original announcement by pro-term Speaker of National Assembly, Ilahi Bux Sumoroo, elections for the two posts were to be held on November 18 and filing of the nominations were to have been completed by noon November 17.

PTI