Pakistan vote in 'early January'

Mr Aziz promises the vote will be free and fair

Parliamentary elections in Pakistan will be held in early January, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said.

Mr Aziz said a caretaker government would be set up to arrange the vote at the beginning of next year. But he gave no specific date.

He said that the elections would be held in a "free and fair manner", and international observers would be invited to monitor them.

The news follows Gen Musharraf's weekend win in presidential elections.

'Transparent and free'

"Elections would be held in the first part of January," Mr Aziz told reporters.

"The national parliament and provincial assemblies will complete their terms on 15 November and elections will be held 60 days after that.

"With the presidential election held successfully, the first phase of the election process has been completed and now general elections will be held in a transparent and free manner."

However, Gen Musharraf's desire to serve a second term as president is being challenged in the Supreme Court, which is due soon to give a ruling on the matter.

It has said that results of the presidential vote can become official only when it has ruled on complaints that he is not eligible to serve another five-year term.

His opponents say it is unconstitutional for the head of the army to stand for president.

Gen Musharraf will step down as army chief after being re-elected and before he is sworn in for a new term as president, his lawyers told the Supreme Court last month.