Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday withdrew his decision of
elections boycott and said his party would take part in the polls.
"We had decided to boycott the elections to express solidarity with the
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the people of Sindh but they appealed to us to
take part in the elections. Our party considered the appeal and after
consultations we have decided to contest the elections," Sharif said, quoted by
the News Network International (NNI) news agency.
Sharif boycotted the elections after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto,
former prime minister and Chairperson of PPP, to express solidarity with her
party.
Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday was appointed co-chairman of PPP
and appealed to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif to review
its polls boycott decision.
"Despite concerns of rigging, we will take part in elections," Sharif said.
He said he wanted elections to be held on Jan. 8 but the Muslim League-Quaid
party was trying to postpone the elections.
Sharif expressed serious concern over what he described as the worst chaos in
the country and said, "There is no law and order in my country."
The Election Commission of Pakistan is expected to make a final decision on
whether to hold the general elections as schedule on Jan. 8.