No change in Pak election schedule

General elections in Pakistan, reeling from a fatal suicide attack on opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, will be held as scheduled on January 8, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro announced on Friday and ordered a judicial inquiry into the killing.

"Right now the elections stand as they are," Soomro told a press conference after chairing a special meeting of his cabinet to review the situation arising out of the assassination of the former premier.

The cabinet considered various options with regard to the elections to the national and four provincial assemblies, including the possibility of postponing the polls.

Asked by media persons whether any decision had been made to postpone the elections, Soomro said: "Nothing yet."

He said he had invited all political parties to review the situation and chalk out a future course of action.

"Any decision (about the polls) will be taken in consultation with the political parties. I am ready to meet them right now," he said.

The interim administration, formed after the term of the National Assembly ended last month, is meant to oversee the polls.

Soomro also ordered a judicial inquiry into the killing of the Pakistan People's Party chairperson, who died after being shot by a suicide attacker who subsequently blew himself near an election rally she had addressed in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The prime minister said the head of the inquiry committee would be appointed in consultation with PPP leaders and a specific timeframe would be given to the panel for submitting its report.