The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Islamabad

Pakistan's opposition vowed to defy a ban on rallies in the run-up to general elections, proposed in the wake of last week's suicide bombing on Benazir Bhutto's convoy that killed 139 people.

The government is drawing up a code of conduct for political campaigning during the polls set for January and seen as a key step to restoring civilian rule in the Islamic nation of 160 million people.

The code was flagged after the October 18 blasts ripped through former prime minister Bhutto's homecoming parade and shattered her planned triumphant return to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile.

Bhutto's party said the code was unacceptable amid fears embattled President Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, was trying to curtail campaigning for the polls.

"Rallies are part of the election process. We cannot sit idle during the election season," Pakistan People's Party (PPP) spokesman Nazir Dhoki said.