Former Pakistani prime minister Mir Zafrullah Khan Jamali has said the parliamentary elections are likely to be put off for some time because of the existing security situation in the country.
Jamali, who was prime minister between November 2002 and June 2004, said that the general elections to be held in January 2008, could be put off for some time due to the prevalent security situations in Pakistan.
Talking to a private TV channel, he said though a final decision regarding the election would be made by the government and the Election Commission, the existing law and order situation would definitely impact the timing.
"The next government will be established with the power of the people and no one can come to power without popular support," Jamali was quoted as saying by the state-run APP news agency.
In regard to the promulgation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance, which gives amnesty in court cases against former premier Benazir Bhutto and other political leaders, except exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Jamali said the law should be identical for all.
The veteran politician from Balochistan said all politicians, including Bhutto and Chaudhry Shujaat of Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) should make their own security arrangements.
{{/usCountry}}The veteran politician from Balochistan said all politicians, including Bhutto and Chaudhry Shujaat of Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) should make their own security arrangements.
{{/usCountry}}Jamali was among several senior members of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party who defected to form their own faction, the PML-Q, which won the most seats in general elections in October 2002.
Jamali was Pakistan's first prime minister from the south-western province of Balochistan, a large but sparsely populated territory which borders Afghanistan.