Pakistani President Says Rioters Trying to Disrupt Elections Will be Shot
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is warning that rioters will be shot if they try to disrupt parliamentary elections next month that are intended to bring stability to the country and end months of turmoil.
In comments late Monday, Mr. Musharraf said he has instructed the country's rangers and army to shoot anyone who tries to disrupt the vote, which has been rescheduled for February 18.
The vote was originally to be held earlier this month, but was postponed following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in late December.
In related news Tuesday, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced three Islamic militants to life in prison for their participation in a failed 2002 attempt to assassinate President Musharraf.
The three were blamed for trying to set off a car rigged with explosives as Mr. Musharraf's convoy passed along a road in the southern city of Karachi. The remote detonator failed.
Pakistan has been struck by a wave of violent militant attacks in recent months, which has left hundreds dead.
On Monday, a bomb blast in Karachi killed at least 10 people and fighting in a remote tribal area claimed the lives of 23 Islamic militants and seven Pakistani troops.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was in Karachi at the time of the blast, but police say they do not know who was behind it.