The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Islamabad

Pakistan's election campaign began in earnest Monday, a day after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif dropped threats to boycott the balloting to protest President Pervez Musharraf's imposition of a state of emergency. Sharif embarked on a tour of the country to stump for his Pakistan Muslim League-N party, even though election authorities have rejected his own candidacy. The two-time prime minister was to address a rally Monday in the central city of Faisalabad and proceed to Multan, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Karachi and Peshawar in the coming days, party officials said. "We will sweep the elections if given a level playing field," said Sadiq ul-Farooq, a senior party leader. Greater participation will make the parliamentary elections look more open, bolstering Musharraf's democratic credentials, which took a hit over his Nov. 3 declaration of a state of emergency and his dismissal of independent-minded judges. But having powerful opponents like Sharif and another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, in the field could siphon off votes and seats from Musharraf's party, weakening the U.S.-backed leader. While some smaller parties still say they won't participate in the Jan. 8 polls, the prospect of a general opposition boycott has collapsed with decisions by the two largest opposition groups to field candidates, opening the way for a three-corner fight for the right to form the next government.