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Bhutto supporters 'facing arrest' Bhutto supporters 'facing arrest'
(about 4 hours later)
Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party says thousands of its workers are facing rioting and arson charges after violence following her assassination.Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party says thousands of its workers are facing rioting and arson charges after violence following her assassination.
Senior party leaders said police had been arresting party members all over Sindh province in recent days.Senior party leaders said police had been arresting party members all over Sindh province in recent days.
More than 50 people were killed in the rioting after Ms Bhutto's death, most of them in her home province of Sindh.More than 50 people were killed in the rioting after Ms Bhutto's death, most of them in her home province of Sindh.
Elections due next week will now be held on 18 February. Officials say they need more time to organise the vote.Elections due next week will now be held on 18 February. Officials say they need more time to organise the vote.
By resorting to these tactics in our hour of grief, the government is trying to vitiate the atmosphere Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Pakistan People's Party Vote delay benefits whom? Yard's Pakistan casebook By resorting to these tactics in our hour of grief, the government is trying to vitiate the atmosphere Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Pakistan People's Party Vote delay benefits whom? Yard's Pakistan casebook
The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has avoided going into "agitation mode" so far following the killing of its leader.The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has avoided going into "agitation mode" so far following the killing of its leader.
Many in the opposition party accuse the authorities of failing to provide Ms Bhutto with adequate security, if not actually being complicit in her murder.Many in the opposition party accuse the authorities of failing to provide Ms Bhutto with adequate security, if not actually being complicit in her murder.
Our correspondent says friction with the government may increase during the election campaign if the administration starts arresting PPP workers in connection with the riots.Our correspondent says friction with the government may increase during the election campaign if the administration starts arresting PPP workers in connection with the riots.
The election is seen as a crucial move towards democratic rule under President Pervez Musharraf, an important ally in the US-led "war on terror" who stood down as army chief in November.The election is seen as a crucial move towards democratic rule under President Pervez Musharraf, an important ally in the US-led "war on terror" who stood down as army chief in November.
He says troops and paramilitary soldiers will help police ensure the vote is "free, fair, transparent and peaceful".He says troops and paramilitary soldiers will help police ensure the vote is "free, fair, transparent and peaceful".
RaidsRaids
Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, a senior leader of the PPP in Sindh, said the party had been collating police reports filed since Ms Bhutto's assassination.Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, a senior leader of the PPP in Sindh, said the party had been collating police reports filed since Ms Bhutto's assassination.
New footage of Bhutto blast Murder inquiry questions New footage of Bhutto blast Murder inquiry questions
"I can tell you that thousands of PPP workers have been nominated in police reports from every district of Sindh province," he told the BBC."I can tell you that thousands of PPP workers have been nominated in police reports from every district of Sindh province," he told the BBC.
Mr Khuhro said that raids had been going on since Sunday.Mr Khuhro said that raids had been going on since Sunday.
"By resorting to these tactics in our hour of grief, the government is trying to vitiate the atmosphere.""By resorting to these tactics in our hour of grief, the government is trying to vitiate the atmosphere."
He did not have exact figures for the number of PPP activists either arrested, or facing detention.He did not have exact figures for the number of PPP activists either arrested, or facing detention.
Earlier on Thursday, top party leader Babar Awan told Dawn News television that about 20,000 party members were facing charges in some 4,000 police reports filed so far. A senior PPP leader, Babar Awan, told journalists that about 200,000 party members were facing charges in some 4,500 police reports filed so far.
Sindh home minister Akhtar Zamin could not confirm numbers of suspects facing charges of riot and arson.Sindh home minister Akhtar Zamin could not confirm numbers of suspects facing charges of riot and arson.
He told the BBC the police would be instructed to drop charges against anyone who was innocent.He told the BBC the police would be instructed to drop charges against anyone who was innocent.
Asked about local PPP leaders facing charges in Sindh, he said: "If a bank was being burnt or a railway engine being set on fire and the person nominated was standing there, how else should we treat him?"Asked about local PPP leaders facing charges in Sindh, he said: "If a bank was being burnt or a railway engine being set on fire and the person nominated was standing there, how else should we treat him?"
'Sympathy vote''Sympathy vote'
Political parties have begun resuming preparations for the elections, and there have been no major reports of violence for several days.Political parties have begun resuming preparations for the elections, and there have been no major reports of violence for several days.
The main opposition parties criticised the decision to postpone the vote, but say they will still take part.The main opposition parties criticised the decision to postpone the vote, but say they will still take part.
They had demanded it not be delayed and accuse officials of seeking to rig it, a charge the authorities deny.They had demanded it not be delayed and accuse officials of seeking to rig it, a charge the authorities deny.
The PPP wanted elections as soon as possible, in order to take advantage of what could be a big sympathy vote, correspondents say.The PPP wanted elections as soon as possible, in order to take advantage of what could be a big sympathy vote, correspondents say.
The ruling PML-Q party had said the 8 January vote should be delayed for several weeks, on the grounds that the vote would "lose credibility" if held under current conditions.The ruling PML-Q party had said the 8 January vote should be delayed for several weeks, on the grounds that the vote would "lose credibility" if held under current conditions.