June 24, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 08, 1428

LAHORE, June 23: Religious Affairs Minister Ejazul Haq says it’s the government’s prerogative to hold elections now or when the assemblies complete their constitutional term.

Talking to Dawn on Friday, he said the opposition parties were worried that the assemblies could be dissolved before the multi-party conference to be held in London next month.

However, he said, the government would take any decision about the polls keeping in view the national interest.

He said the government was willing to hold talks with the opposition parties to decide all matters concerning the upcoming elections, as already indicated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The minister assured that he could take ruling PML president Shujaat Husain to any place for a meeting with the opposition parties. However, he said, the opposition parties should not demand that the exiled leaders should be allowed to participate in the proposed meeting.

Ejazul Haq said the opposition was in disarray and the ruling coalition would defeat it in the elections.

He said Ms Bhutto had ditched Nawaz Sharif by holding talks with the government.