WASHINGTON, Dec 31: PPP’s co-chairman Asif Zardari said on Monday that opposition parties would not accept any delay in the elections.

“If Iraq and Afghanistan can hold elections despite wars, if African nations facing civil wars can hold elections, why cannot Pakistan?” he asked.

In an interview to CNN, Mr Zardari also said that a new video shown by a British television channel has made it obvious that Benazir Bhutto was killed “point blank by a pistol or by a sniper’s rifle.”

The government’s explanation, he said, was “a useless excuse, because they have to divert attention from the main subject” — who is responsible for the killing.

Insisting that the parliamentary elections should not be postponed, Mr Zardari said: “Our demand is elections on time — free, fair as promised.”

He said: “He does not trust the government to hold free and fair elections, but he does believe the people of Pakistan will be able to ensure that happens.”

Mr Zardari said he would serve as co-chairman while Bilawal, 19, finishes his studies.

“He will, of course, be kept aware of all that is happening with the party,” he said. “I will be looking after the interests of the party, as a guide, as a helper, and as a friend to the party, and as a part-time leader.”

He said his wife stipulated in her will that he was to step into her role in the event of her death. But Mr Zardari said his decision to pass that role to their son is correct.“I, in my political wisdom, think we need a larger symbol than myself to keep the party united with her gone,” he said.

“Because she could have probably not even herself imagined the reaction that her death would do to Pakistan.”

He said Ms Bhutto’s assassination on Thursday has thrust Pakistan onto the verge of disintegration.

Whether his other two children will decide to enter politics “is entirely up to them,” he said.

Mr Zardari said Ms Bhutto had trained Bilawal: “He realizes the enormity of the situation. So therefore, he’s accepted the responsibility.”