ISLAMABAD, April 20: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Friday rejected the impression that any deal with Pakistan People’s Party was being negotiated, and announced that the election would be held according to schedule in a fair, free and transparent manner.

In an interview with Arabic TV channel Al-Arabia, the president said: "There's no deal at all. No alliance, no deal".He said election would be held by the year's end in a fair and transparent manner, and political action could be considered after viewing the outcome.

The president, while replying to a question, said: "I am not removing the uniform till the election because I have been allowed constitutionally to remain as president and chief of the army staff till the end of year."

He said it was decided by parliament with two-thirds majo-

rity to keep the two offices at a time.

The president said that change in Pakistan would be brought through a political process by the people of Pakistan and not by any outside pressure.

He said fair, free and impartial elections would take place this year according to constitution of the country.

"This is election year and we will follow the constitution of Pakistan," he added.—APP