Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Pakistan Plans To Hold General Elections On Jan. 8
By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
Pakistan Plans to Hold General Elections on Jan. 8
Pakistan's caretaker prime minister says the government has no immediate plans to postpone general elections scheduled for January 8. The announcement came a day after the assassination of prominent opposition leader Benazir Bhutto plunged the country into turmoil, and triggered violent protests. From New Delhi Anjana Pasricha has a report.
Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro said Friday "elections stand as they were announced." He said any decision to delay the January 8 vote will only be made after consultation with all political parties.
Speculation the elections could be postponed follows the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto Thursday in Rawalpindi.
The killing has prompted another opposition leader, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to announce his party will boycott the elections
Sharif says the attack shows that Pakistan cannot hold free and fair elections under President Pervez Musharraf. He says there can be no peace under his leadership.
Meanwhile, violent protests over Ms. Bhutto's assassination continue in several cities.
President Musharraf has blamed terrorists for the attack and vowed to root out Islamic extremism in Pakistan.
ENDS
Latest World News | Top World News | World Digest | Archives | RSS
People with Disability Australia - PWDA: CMHA And PWDA Demand Justice And Urgent Reform Following Death Of Simon Cartwright At Silverwater Jail
UNICEF Aotearoa NZ: Vanuatu Quake - UNICEF Aotearoa Launches Urgent Fundraising Appeal For 40,000 Children In Need
New Zealand Defence Force: Surveillance, Aid, Responders And Evacuees Covered By RNZAF Vanuatu Flights
Leonard C. Goodman, IMI: The Democratic Party Faces Its Day Of Reckoning
APEC: Korea Sets Ambitious Priorities For APEC 2025 - Building A Sustainable Tomorrow
New Zealand Defence Force: NZDF Support To Vanuatu