Pakistan candidates urged to avoid large rallies

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-16-2008 13:40

Pakistan's government has urged candidates in next month's elections to avoid large rallies, warning of security risks after Benazir Bhutto's assassination more than two weeks ago.

Javed Iqbal Cheema, Spokesman of Pakistan Interior  Minister.(CCTV.com)

The Pakistani Interior Ministry has asked the country's political leadership to heed the security advice.

Javed Iqbal Cheema, Spokesman, Pakistan Interior Minister, said, "Given the security environment, we can only advise what to do and what not to do. You know for example if that day the security detail of Benazir Bhutto had insisted her not to get out of the vehicle, perhaps we could have avoided, you know, this unfortunate incident."

Former two-time prime minister Bhutto was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack while leaving an election rally in the city of Rawalpindi last month. She had been standing up through the sunroof of her vehicle.

Bhutto's widower said that same day, he provided evidence to a team of British detectives to investigate his wife's killer.

Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman of Pakistan People's  Party.(CCTV.com)

Asif Ali Zardari, Co-Chairman of Pakistan People's Party, said, "Their position was it's too premature at the moment, they are still investigating. And of course they welcomed all the evidence that we put forward and said it would be very helpful."

Zardari also said he would directly approach the United Nations to ask for an investigation into her death after the Pakistani government rejected his demand.

Bhutto's assassination triggered riots that forced a six week delay in the parliament polls, now re-scheduled for February 18th.

Large scale campaigning has yet to restart.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei