ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: The government, under mounting pressure from its western allies after declaring emergency rule, has decided to hold a general election by mid-January, its top lawyer said on Monday.

Attorney-General Malik Abdul Qayyum said that National and provincial assemblies would be dissolved in 10 days’ time.

“It has been decided there would be no delay in the election and by November 15, these assemblies will be dissolved and the election will be held within the next 60 days,” Mr Qayyum told Reuters.

Pakistan’s western allies have sought reassurances that polls would go ahead as expected in January after President Gen Pervez Musharraf suspended the constitution and imposed emergency rule on Saturday.

Separately, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said: “We don’t want to disrupt the election process. We want a free election.” He said polls would be held according to the schedule.—Reuters