Islamabad, Dec 28 (IANS): Dismissing rumours about delay in the parliamentary elections, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has vowed to hold transparent and timely polls, Xinhua reported.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of 5th death anniversary of former prime minister and his spouse Benazir Bhutto in Sindh province, Zardari said all arrangements had been completed to hold free, fair and transparent elections.

"I want to categorically tell all political parties that they should not have any concerns about the holding of next general elections. We will ensure transparent elections," Zardari said.

"In order to hold free, fair and transparent elections, we have put in place an independent election commission besides legislation has also been done to install a consensus caretaker setup," he said.

The present Pakistani government is to complete its term in mid-March next year and a caretaker would be installed to hold elections within three months.

There have been rumours in Pakistani media that the elections are likely to be delayed and the caretaker government's term is likely to be extended.

Zardari told his Pakistan Peoples Party supporters that the government and the opposition parties would hold negotiations for a joint candidate for the post of a caretaker prime minister.

"This caretaker setup will remain in power for two or three months with the mandate of only holding elections," he said.