ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: The main opposition parties demanded better security on Thursday as the nation prepared for a lengthy campaign ahead of February 18 elections.

The political parties confirmed that they would resume the race to restore democracy here but said the government must ensure that the candidates were protected from the dangers posed by anyone determined to disrupt the polls.

“We would like the government to provide foolproof security to Sharif, including a bullet-proof vehicle,” said Ahsan Iqbal, a spokesman for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

“We will continue our election campaign but we are revising the party chief’s programme of public engagements in view of the current security situation.”

He said the party was not deterred by the postponement of the elections and was determined to wage a lengthy nationwide campaign despite security concerns.

“Although the elections are now more than a month away the delay will not cause any harm to the campaign of our party, which is determined to restore genuine democracy in Pakistan,” Mr Iqbal said.

Sherry Rehman, spokeswoman for Pakistan People’s Party, said slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s widower and the party’s de facto new leader, Asif Ali Zardari, would lead the campaign after its mourning period ended early next month.

“The party’s co-chairperson Asif Zardari will address some major public meetings after February 7 all over the country,” she said.

Farooq Naik, Ms Bhutto’s lawyer and top aide, said “the party would certainly demand foolproof security from the government” during the election campaign.

“We want the government to provide security to Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders to the same level as President Musharraf,” Mr Naik added.—AFP