Opposition parties threaten boycott

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Two of Pakistan's opposition parties say they probably won't participate in parliamentary elections next year if emergency rule is still in effect.

Pakistan's most popular Islamic party, Jamaa-e-Islaami, and the Pakistan Muslim League both want President Pervez Musharaff to lift his order in advance of any balloting, The New York Times reported Monday.

Still unknown at this time is whether the country's largest opposition party, the Pakistan People's Party, would join such a boycott.

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has not said whether she will keep the Pakistan People's Party out of the election if emergency rule is still in effect.

Bhutto did say, however, that negotiations with Musharraf had come to an end.

"We cannot work with anyone who has suspended the Constitution, imposed emergency rule, and oppressed the judiciary," said Bhutto.

She indicated she planned to go head with Tuesday's protest march from Lahore to the capital of Islamabad.