Pakistan to put off poll

ISLAMABAD: The Musharraf regime is likely to postpone the January 8 general elections, fearing a sympathy wave for the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Government sources said the ongoing violence across Pakistan against the murder of Benazir Bhutto had forced President Musharraf to hold deliberations with his aides, and the elections will be postponed for a few weeks, or even months, so that public anguish dies down without affecting the results.

The Election Commission has convened a meeting on Sunday to decide the election’s fate, but gave indications that it will be postponed. “All activities pertaining to pre-poll arrangements have been adversely affected,” it said in a statement.