The United States urged on Monday Pakistan to fix a precise date for parliamentary elections following reports that the scheduled Jan. 8 elections are likely be postponed to three or four months after the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
"If elections can be held in a safe and secure way, and in a positive way, on Jan. 8, then that's probably what should happen," said State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey.
A delay "would be acceptable" if it won broad support in Pakistan because of turmoil after Bhutto's murder, but "the key here is that there be a date certain for the elections in Pakistan," Casey stressed.
Pakistan's election commission said it would make an announcement on Tuesday after assessing the security situation in the country.
On the appointment of Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to be chairman of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Casey offered his congratulations to Bilawal, and played down any concerns over Pakistan's biggest political party being led by someone so young.
"Political parties in Pakistan and elsewhere can choose who they want to have for their leadership," the spokesman said.
Bilawal, 19, was appointed on Sunday PPP chairman and Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari was named co-chairman.
Source: Xinhua
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