Campaign for Pakistan elections picks up as candidates final lists issued

Campaign for the next month elections in Pakistan picks up as all major parties have finalized their candidates and the election body has also started printing of the ballot papers, local media reported Saturday.Elections for the 342-member National Assembly, lower house of the parliament, and four provincial assemblies will be held on May 11.Thousands of candidates are contesting from the platform of political, religious parties and nationalist groups and independently.Senior political leaders of mainstream parties have started addressing big rallies across the country to win support of the people.Candidates are also busy in corner meetings and door-to-door campaign.Banners, flags and posters of parties and candidates are visible in all main cities, towns and small villages.Several main parties have also started campaign of paid advertisements through independent TV channels and newspapers to highlight election manifestos.TV channels are also daily holding debates on the elections, which has created election environment in the country.Taliban's threats and their several recent attacks have affected the election campaign in the northwest and the tribal regions and some other parts.At least one provincial assembly candidate, and several election campaigners have been killed in Taliban attacks in recent days.The Interior Ministry has warned that the Taliban have planned more attacks during the campaign and on the Election Day.Taliban have openly announced to launch attacks on three parties -- the Pakistan Peoples Party, Mutahida Qaumi Movement and the Awami National Party, for what they called their secular policies.The government says that troops could be deployed if they are needed in sensitive areas.