Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Khursheed Shah Wednesday said the general elections will be held by May 6 and assured that the polls date will not be extended beyond this date.

Talking to media persons here, Khursheed Shah said the general elections can be held on May 4, 5 or 6 but the date will not be extended beyond May 6.Earlier, the country's main political parties representing the opposition pressed the government to announce elections before it is too late.

The heads of opposition parties including Pakistan Muslim League-N, Jamaiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Jamat-e-Islami, Pakistan Milli Awami Party and others made their joint stand public at a press conference.

They also expressed a joint resolve to thwart any move aimed at derailment of the democratic process or stood in clash with the Constitution.Pakistan Tehirk-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan also announced that his party will not take part in the Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran sit-in being staged in the federal capital.

Later, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appreciated the opposition's stand, describing it as historic.Their stand is reflective of political maturity of the country's political forces and it is a good omen for the democracy and future of the country," the Prime Minister said.