MURREE, June 24: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that after the oath-taking ceremony of the president in the third week of October dates for general elections will be announced.

The minister was talking to journalists after taking part in a walk organised by the Pakistan National Association of Heart here on Sunday.

He said elections would be free and transparent and according to the wishes of the international community, and added that transfer of power to public representatives was essential.

He said that political parties should refrain from sending references against one another and should start preparing for the general elections.

He said that some of his colleagues had advised President Musharraf to impose emergency or a mini-martial law but the latter did not accept it.

Answering a question, Mr Rashid denied that three American officials who recently visited Pakistan had said anything about Gen Musharraf’s uniform or about the time period of the present assemblies. He said rather they talked about developments in Pakistan and peace in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He said this is for the first time that the government is seeking decision on merit whereas in the past “doctrines of necessities” were adopted.

He said the government still has contacts with PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

He said she will support the government without losing her political position because she knows that this will be in favour of both the government and her party.

He said: “She knows that without the support of the army terrorism and extremism cannot be stopped, and every civilian government in future will need the army against terrorism.”

Mr Rashid disclosed that he was offered the post of secretary-general of the PML twice but he turned it down because he did not want to create any problems for the Chaudhrys.

He said to get the support of the common man PML-Q has to reach into small places.

He said local bodies have constitutional protection and they will complete their tenure by 2009.

In response to a question, Mr Rashid said “charter” and “democracy” will run for elections separately.

About a question related to Jamia Hafsa, he said that such questions should be asked from the ministers of Religious Affairs or Interior.