Opposition Parties Slam Pakistani Election Postponement

JIM LEHRER:

An election postponed in Pakistan. We start with a report from Inigo Gilmore of Independent Television News in Islamabad.

INIGO GILMORE, ITV News Special Correspondent:

After 48 hours of dithering and delays, the country's election commission finally turned out to announce its decision about national elections.

QAZI FAROOQ, Pakistan Chief Election Commissioner (through translator):

As you know, after the tragic death of Benazir Bhutto, public institutions and normal life were badly affected. In light of all reports and consultations, we have decided that it is impossible to hold elections on January 8th.

INIGO GILMORE:

He said the destruction of election commission offices, voting rolls, and ballot papers in protests since Bhutto's assassination had led the commission to postpone elections for 40 days.

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the ensuing violent chaos, and now this, a delay in the elections which Bhutto insisted would sweep her back to power.

Opposition parties say they see the hidden hand of government-linked forces behind all this, a government they say that is determined to cling to power, whatever the cost.

The election delay was immediately denounced by Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, whose supporters have accused President Musharraf's government of complicity in her death. Officials insist the poll could have gone ahead.

ENVER BAIG, Official, Pakistan People’s Party:

I feel the election commission on a pretext of this assassination wants to delay the elections to give breathing space to the Muslim League Q, which is the party of General Musharraf, because they know it, that in case elections are held on the 8th, they will be wiped out from the scene.

INIGO GILMORE:

Tonight, President Musharraf, in an address to the nation, defended the decision to delay the poll and, referring to what he called "conspiracies," insisted that Benazir Bhutto's death was linked to Islamic extremists.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, President of Pakistan (through translator): Benazir Bhutto's mission was to promote democracy and to struggle against terrorism. I share that mission.

INIGO GILMORE:

President Musharraf's government has resisted calls for an international inquiry into her death, but pressure has been growing after footage first shown by Channel 4 News appeared to show an assassin shooting Bhutto, contradicting government claims that she was not shot, but died after fracturing her skull.

President Musharraf, referring tonight to television news clips, made a surprise announcement.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF (through translator):

We've requested a Scotland Yard team be sent to Pakistan, and I'm thankful to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The team will soon come to here to help us with our investigation and to overcome any defects in our probe.

INIGO GILMORE:

President Musharraf's critics say they'll only be satisfied once they've rid Pakistan of military rule and all that goes with it.