General elections in Pakistan to be held on May 11

Parliamentary body sets code of conduct for caretaker PM

The date for the general elections has been announced and Pakistani’s will head to polling stations on May 11. The election day will fall on a Saturday. President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday signed the summary for the election date which was sent Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

According to presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, the prime minister had advised the president to announce a suitable date for holding general elections to the National Assembly in terms of Article 48 (1) of the constitution with the relevant statutory provisions.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has set March 25-31 as the timeframe for the collection of nomination papers for the general elections. According to the ECP, nomination papers of candidates will be scrutinized from 23 March till April 6. From April 7, appeals against reservations raised on nomination papers would be filed while candidates can withdraw nomination papers till April 18.

On April 19, the final list of

ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee for appointment of caretaker Prime Minister in its first meeting has set code of conduct for the caretaker PM. The Committee members agreed that the candidate for the slot should be impartial‚ man of integrity‚ has administrative experience‚ has no political affiliation and enjoys good reputation. Talking to newsmen after the meeting‚ its members Syed Khurshid Shah‚ Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi and Farooq H. Naek said in Wednesday’s meeting names of two candidates came under discussion. They are retired Justice Mir Hazar Khan Khoso and Rasool Bakhsh Paleejo. Merits of other candidates would come under discussion in the meeting of the Committee Thursday (today). PPP’s Syed Khurshid Shah said that today the Committee framed its rules which provide that its quorum will be 5 members and decision will be taken with two-third majority of 6 members. He said Chairman of the Committee would be on rotational basis. Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour was elected Chairman for Wednesday’s meeting while tomorrow the Chairman would be from opposition side. Former Law Minister Farooq H. Naek said the Parliamentary Committee‚ in its first meeting‚ held serious deliberation on the issue of appointment of caretaker Prime Minister. He said the Committee is considering the two names proposed by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition for the purpose and it does not have any power to propose any other name. Farooq Naek said the committee is trying its level best to evolve consensus on any of the two names for appointment as caretaker Prime Minister. candidates would be issued which would be 22 days prior to the general elections being held. Candidates would be given 21 days form election campaigning.