Pakistan election date stands: interim PM

Pakistan's plan to hold general elections on Jan 8 stands despite the assassination of former PM Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan's plan to hold general elections on Jan 8 stands despite the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the government said on Friday.

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"Right now the elections stand where they were," caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro told a news conference in Islamabad.

Pakistan Peoples Party leader Bhutto was killed when gunman shot her in the neck and head on Thursday during an election rally in Rawalpindi. Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Soomro said that any decision on the change of election programme would be taken through consultations with all political parties.

"We will consult all the political parties to take a decision about it. I'm ready to meet them right now," he said.