Islamabad: Pakistan's government today discussed all issues related to the holding of the general election, including the possibility of delaying the polls, though a top minister said no decision was made in this regard. Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed indicated that all issues related to the election were discussed at a meeting of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz but no decision was made.

"No decision was made," Ahmed told Dawn News channel without giving details. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told the cabinet that the imposition of emergency by President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday was "neither intended to delay the election nor to slow down the democratic process".

A section of the ruling PML-Q is keen on having the election deferred by up to three to six months, and this issue was taken at the meeting. The cabinet meeting was held after conflicting signals emerged from the government about the holding of the polls.

Prime Minister Aziz yesterday said the polls would be held "according to schedule" and Attorney General Malik Qayyum today said the election would be held within 60 days of the national and provincial assemblies completing their term on November 15. But other top officials said the polls could be put off for up to a year.

Source : PTI