Islamabad: Pakistan’s ruling party said that elections scheduled for January 8 are likely to be delayed because of the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Tariq Azim, of President Musharraf’s Pakistan Muslim League-Q, said the parliamentary elections would lose credibility if it they are held on January 8.

He said he expected the authorities to announce a delay within 24 hours.

"How long the postponement will be for will up to the Election Commission. I think we are looking at a delay of a few weeks ... of up to three or four months.” He added.