December 21, 2001	Friday	Shawwal 5, 1422

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

MARDAN, Dec 20: Federal minister for Kashmir and northern affairs, Abbas Sarfaraz Khan, has said that general election will be held on time according the mandate given by the supreme court, and dispelled the impression that the government had plans to postpone it.

Briefly chatting with the Dawn here at his residence, the minister disclosed that arrangements were complete for the general election to be held in October 2002.

He said that the promise of local government had been fulfilled, and the government was empowering both the Nazims and councillors to make it easier for them to solve the peoples’ problems.

He refuted allegations that he was not cooperating with the local government of Mardan district, and said that they were free to carry out any project or programme in their jurisdiction.

He also condemned the allegations of the Indian government about the involvement of Pakistanis or some activists of religious parties in the attack on their parliament.

He added that India was a big country and there were numerous organizations and regional groups struggling for independence. This attack could be the doing of one of those groups.

He said that the Indian government seemed paranoid and is bent upon holding Pakistan responsible for anything bad that happens in India.

The disclosed that he had plans to contest general election from Mardan next year. But did not specify whether for the national or provincial assembly seat.