ISLAMABAD, April 8: A spokesman for President General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said that political parties would have an equal opportunity to contest the next general elections freely under the law and no concession or deal had been offered to any party.

The spokesman refuted what he termed speculations regarding changes in the government and a deal with an opposition party.

He was commenting on reports to this effect in a section of the press.

Regretting that such reports continued to be printed and telecast despite clear denials from various levels of the government, the spokesman asserted that the president had categorically and repeatedly stated that the government had been functioning successfully and noticeable progress had been achieved on many fronts.

“This government will face the electorate with confidence in the coming elections and asked everyone including the opposition to concentrate on the forthcoming elections which would be manifestly fair and transparent.”

“Anybody creating confusion at this stage was clearly doing disservice to the democratic process,” he said.

The spokesman hoped that all speculations to this effect would now be put to rest.

PM RULES OUT DEAL: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said that the Pakistan Muslim League would neither strike a deal with any party nor allow any of the exiled political leaders to come to the country.

Addressing a pubic gathering in Ghorghusti village, he said that the PML and its allied political parties would jointly contest the elections.

He said that candidates of the ruling coalition would return successfully and on going process of prosperity would continue.

He said that there was no threat to Islam because the majority of people were Muslims and the rights of minorities were being fully protected.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...