Let Pak take its own decision on poll dates, says US

The Bush Administration has made it clear that the Pakistan Government would determine the timings for its parliamentary elections.

Washington, Dec 30 : The Bush Administration has made it clear that the Pakistan Government would determine the timings for its parliamentary elections.

"The timing (for general elections) will be something that the Pakistani authorities will have to determine," President George W Bush spokesman Tony Fratto said.

"The Pakistanis are going to have to make their decision based on the conditions following her (Benazir Bhutto) death," said Fratto, amid conflicting reports citing over what exactly killed Benazir.

Fratto also maintained that the elections in Pakistan "should be free and fair and parties and candidates should be able to conduct an election in an open way."

Bush called Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and pressed him "to honor Benazir's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life," Fratto said.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said that a delay "would be a victory for no one but the extremists responsible for this attack."

"If an election can be held smoothly and safely on January 8, as currently scheduled, then, by all means, it should move forward," The News quoted Casey, as saying.

"If political parties and actors in the country come to some different conclusion, then certainly we'll take a look at it then," he added.

ANI