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Pakistan campaigning ends ahead of election Pakistan campaigning ends ahead of election
(about 7 hours later)
Campaigning in Pakistan ahead of Saturday's general election has ended, with candidates holding final rallies.Campaigning in Pakistan ahead of Saturday's general election has ended, with candidates holding final rallies.
The election will mark the country's first successful transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history.The election will mark the country's first successful transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history.
However, the run-up to the election has been marred by violence in which more than 100 people have been killed.However, the run-up to the election has been marred by violence in which more than 100 people have been killed.
On Thursday, the son of former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was seized during an election rally.On Thursday, the son of former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was seized during an election rally.
Ali Haider - a candidate for the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) - was seized in the central city of Multan, Mr Gilani said.Ali Haider - a candidate for the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) - was seized in the central city of Multan, Mr Gilani said.
The end of campaigning was marked by emotional pleas by some candidates. In the latest violence:
The end of campaigning was marked with emotional pleas by some candidates.
'National honour''National honour'
Nawaz Sharif, who leads the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and is tipped to be Pakistan's next prime minister, made an impassioned plea to crowds in Lahore just minutes before midnight on Thursday.Nawaz Sharif, who leads the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and is tipped to be Pakistan's next prime minister, made an impassioned plea to crowds in Lahore just minutes before midnight on Thursday.
"If you give us five years you will see that we can change the fate of this country," he said."If you give us five years you will see that we can change the fate of this country," he said.
He accused his opponents of selling the nation's honour and vowed that his party would be different.He accused his opponents of selling the nation's honour and vowed that his party would be different.
Former international cricketer Imran Khan, leader of the Movement for Justice party, addressed supporters in the capital Islamabad by video link from a hospital bed.Former international cricketer Imran Khan, leader of the Movement for Justice party, addressed supporters in the capital Islamabad by video link from a hospital bed.
He was injured after falling from a makeshift lift at an election rally earlier this week.He was injured after falling from a makeshift lift at an election rally earlier this week.
"God will not take me from this world until a new Pakistan is built," he said."God will not take me from this world until a new Pakistan is built," he said.
On the outskirts of Islamabad, supporters of the the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) also held a large rally.On the outskirts of Islamabad, supporters of the the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) also held a large rally.
Party chairman Bilawal Zardari Bhutto, son of assassinated Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and current President Asif Ali Zardari, also addressed the rally by video link.Party chairman Bilawal Zardari Bhutto, son of assassinated Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and current President Asif Ali Zardari, also addressed the rally by video link.
"Benazir gave her life for this nation, for this country, for the people, for democracy, and for the completion of this struggle," he said."Benazir gave her life for this nation, for this country, for the people, for democracy, and for the completion of this struggle," he said.
"And my father, the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, who spent ten years in jail, and always said we should put Pakistan first. Now this is our duty to complete this promise.""And my father, the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, who spent ten years in jail, and always said we should put Pakistan first. Now this is our duty to complete this promise."
The PPP along with the Karachi-based Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party have been singled out for attack by the Taliban.The PPP along with the Karachi-based Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party have been singled out for attack by the Taliban.
Correspondents say the threat of violence has forced all three to severely curtail their election events.Correspondents say the threat of violence has forced all three to severely curtail their election events.
Tens of thousands of troops will be deployed at polling stations on Saturday after the Taliban threatened to carry out suicide attacks.Tens of thousands of troops will be deployed at polling stations on Saturday after the Taliban threatened to carry out suicide attacks.
Another six people were reported killed in election-related violence on Thursday.Another six people were reported killed in election-related violence on Thursday.
Two attacks targeted a PML-N candidate and the right-wing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, officials said.Two attacks targeted a PML-N candidate and the right-wing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, officials said.
Opinion polls indicate there could be a record turnout, higher than the 44% in the last elections in 2008.Opinion polls indicate there could be a record turnout, higher than the 44% in the last elections in 2008.