Pakistan's National Assembly to be dissolved

Pakistan's National Assembly will be dissolved at mid-night on Saturday on completion of its five-year constitutional term, an official announcement said. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has issued notification about the dissolution of the 342-member National Assembly, or Lower House of the parliament, on completion of its term at 12 a.m. . A separate notification for the dissolution of the cabinet will also be issued. It is the first time in Pakistan's 66 years history that the National Assembly has completed its five-year tenure. Several governments had been dissolved before completing terms on various pretext as the president in the past had the powers to dissolve the National Assembly. However, the powers were withdrawn through an amendment in the constitution. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and chief ministers of four provinces agreed on Saturday to hold elections of the national and provincial assemblies on the same day. The prime minister's office said that the chief ministers agreed in principle that the elections of national and provincial assemblies will be held in the country on the same day for logistical, administrative, and financial reasons, which would also promote political harmony in the country. Prime Minister Ashraf will address the nation over state television tonight to give more details about the upcoming parliamentary elections.