Islamabad: Parliamentary polls in Pakistan, reeling from a fatal suicide attack on opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, will be held as scheduled on Jan 8,caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro said today and ordered a judicial inquiry into the killing.

"Right now the elections stand as they are," Soomro told a press conference after chairing a special meeting of his cabinet to review the situation across Pakistan in the wake of the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

The cabinet considered various options with regard to the polls to the national and four provincial assemblies, including the possibility of postponing the elections.

Asked by reporters whether any decision had been made to postpone the elections, Soomro said: "Nothing yet." He said he had invited all political parties to review the situation and chalk out a future course of action.

"Any decision (about the polls) will be taken in consultation with the political parties. I am ready to meet them right now," he said.

Soomro also ordered a judicial inquiry into the killing of the Pakistan People's Party chairperson, who died after a suicide attack near an election rally she had addressed in Rawalpindi.

He said the head of the inquiry committee would be appointed in consultation with PPP leaders and a specific timeframe would be given to the panel for submitting its report. The results of the probe will be made public.

Asked about the decision not to perform an autopsy on Bhutto's body, he said this was the decision of her family and was taken in consultation with the PPP.

Source : PTI