Pakistan parliament dissolves after 5 years

Pakistan's parliament dissolved at midnight (1900 GMT) on Thursday after completing its five-year term, to be replaced by a caretaker government ahead of general elections due in January.

"The outgoing prime minister approved the notification for the dissolution of parliament. It took place at one second after midnight," parliamentary affairs minister Sher Afgan told AFP.

President Pervez Musharraf earlier appointed Pakistan's current senate chief, Mohammedmian Soomro, as interim prime minister to guide the emergency-ruled country to elections.