NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
The Pakistan government on Monday said it would lift restrictions on political activities from July 12 and announce schedule for the October polls the same day.
The ban was imposed soon after the military coup in October 1999.
"The government will announce schedule for general elections on July 12 with which the ban on political activities would go," Law Minister Khalid Ranjha said in Rawalpindi.
Ranjha's announcement followed the decision by the 15-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy to defy the ban and hold outdoor political rallies from July 15.
The ARD announced that its first rally would be held in Quetta on July 15 followed by Peshawar and other big towns.
Ranjha also said the government would release the package of controversial constitutional amendments in the first week of July for debate, according to media reports.
The amendments, which were opposed by the political parties, were aimed at strengthening the powers of the president over cabinet and parliament.
PTI
Tell us what you think of this report
