Pro-government alliance in Pakistan

Six political parties in Pakistan, have formed an alliance to contest the parliamentary elections in October.

The group, calling itself the Grand Alliance, will be led by a former Prime Minister, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, and also has within its ranks a former president, Farooq Ahmed Leghari.

All six parties supported Pakistan's present leader, Pervez Musharraf, in the referendum last week which gave him another five years as President.

Mr Jatoi denied criticism that the Grand Alliance had been sponsored by General Musharraf to fight the main opposition Alliance for Restoration of Democracy.

Mr Jatoi said the Grand Alliance will work for Pakistan's return to democratic rule.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service