Pakistan goes to the polls

PAKISTAN yesterday vowed to hold parliamentary elections today despite a suicide attack on a campaign rally that killed up to 46 people, rattling voters already wary of the militant violence that has overshadowed the Islamic nation’s next step toward democracy.

The government is under pressure from its Western allies to hold a free and fair vote today.

The result of the polls will be critical for the political future of US-backed President Pervez Musharraf and a country grappling with rising attacks by pro-Taliban militants.

The suicide car bombing occurred on Saturday night at a rally for an independent candidate supported by the party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in the northwestern town of Parachinar.

Parachinar security official Mushtaq Hussain said 46 were killed and 110 wounded in the attack.

Mr Musharraf said the election would go ahead as planned, saying “any effort to derail the democratic process or the holding of elections will be foiled.”

Although Mr Musharraf’s position as president is not being contested in today’s vote, an unfavourable outcome could leave him politically vulnerable, even at risk of impeachment.

The Sharif and Bhutto camps claim the vote is being rigged against them.