January 10, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 19, 1427

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LARKANA, Jan 9: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Durrani has said that elections will be held according to the Constitution under an independent election commission.

He said that all political parties would participate in the elections which would be free, fair and transparent.

Talking to reporters along with Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim here on Tuesday, he said that foreign observers would be invited to monitor the election process.

Replying to a question about any deal with the PPP, he said that four years back they talked of launching a movement and one-and-half years ago they announced about resignations.

“No movement began nor resignations came and there will definitely be no deal,” he said.

“Why should we enter into a deal with the PPP for we have carried out a massive development in the country and served people,” Mr Durrani said.

Without naming the PPP and the PML-N leadership, he said that they had emptied the national exchequer while the present government brought prosperity and development.

He ruled out any possibility of seat adjustment with the PPP in the polls and said the PML would contest elections along with its coalition partners and would field candidates throughout the country.

Commenting on the APC called by the PML-N in London, he said the PML-N had been merged into the PPP and Nawaz Sharif was now worker of it.

“The APC should be held in the country as such a conference abroad will cost a lot of money,” he said.

He thanked the PPP for its decision of contesting elections, as according to him it (PPP) had realized the ground realities. “It is a wise decision,” he said.

“General Parvez Musharraf’s development vision is getting popularity and for that reason political parties are trying to embark on the bandwagon. They have missed the train and now can not even catch its last boggy”, he said.

Replying to a question regarding delay in gas pipeline between Pakistan and Iran, he said the delay was due to finalisation of modalities of the project.

“We have prepared plans to face energy needs,” the minister said.

Sindh Minister for Power and Relief Haji Altaf Unnar and PML-Q leader Masood Khuhro were also present on the occasion.