ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of any political change and mid-term elections in the country.

Talking to reporters after attending a briefing here at the Capital Development Authority headquarters, the minister said the release of PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari would bring about no significant change in the political situation except for creating an atmosphere of healthy competition in politics and in the local government elections scheduled for next year.

"Yes elections will be held next year, but these will be local government elections. General elections will be held in 2007," he told a questioner. Terming the government performance satisfactory, the interior minister said there was no need to hold mid-term polls in the country.

"Why should there be any change when the government is functioning properly? Mega-projects are being executed, parliament is working smoothly and opposition is playing its role," he said.

The minister was confident that the government would complete its term, saying President General Pervez Musharraf had already announced that parliament would complete its tenure.

Answering a question, he said Mr Zardari's name was on the Exit Control List, explaining that names of all those facing charges in NAB cases were put on the ECL. When asked about any deal with the PPP, Mr Sherpao said the question should be put before those who were talking of the deal.