Taking the opportunity of this occasion I want to give a roadmap for electing the future government.

Under the Supreme Court's decision, the general elections are to be held by 12 October, 2002.

The entire world and all Pakistanis are demanding a roadmap for these elections. I am declaring this map today. The details will be published in the press, but I want to briefly describe its outline.

This transfer of power will comprise four phases.

Devolution

Phase one, the devolution of power to the district level - which was started on 23 March, 2000 - was completed today, 14 August, 2001, with the installation of all district governments by the grace of God Almighty.

Phase two will last from 1 September, 2001 to 30 June, 2002, meaning approximately nine months, during which preparations will be made for provincial, national and Senate elections.

Under this phase, constituencies will be defined, electoral rolls and identity cards will be prepared, and constitutional amendments will be adopted, after achieving national consensus through public debate. It will take nine months to complete all these tasks.

Election process

Phase three will last from 1 July, 2002, to 12 October, 2002, and will comprise the election process - the entire election process of electing provincial and national assemblies and Senate.

The preparations for these elections will be made within these three months and the elections will be held on some day between 1 October and 11 October.

After this, the last phase - phase four - will last from October to November 2002, during which the transfer of power, oath-taking, elections of Speakers and Deputy Speakers, and the formation of all the federal and provincial governments will take place.