Liberal Democrats support election postponement in Pakistan after Bhutto assassination

10.00.00am GMT Wed 2nd Jan 2008

Pakistan flag

Pakistan's electoral commission has suggested that elections scheduled for next week should be postponed because of unrest following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Although Miss Bhutto's party was pressing for the vote to be held as planned on Jan 8, a spokesman for the election supervisor said this morning that the date appears "impossible".

Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson said "Supporters of a democratic Pakistan must recognise that an election 10 days after this terrorist outrage could add to the instability and chaos, not end it. Instability in a nuclear state is what the terrorists want. The world must stand by Pakistani democrats to help them unite to deny the terrorists the chaos they seek. Any new election timetable that restores stability whilst ensuring the transition to democracy will not be postponed indefinitely should receive the strong backing of the British Government."