ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s general election was yesterday postponed by six weeks until next month because of violence sparked by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, despite the objection of the two main opposition parties.

Chief election commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq said polling would be held on February 18 instead of January 8.

The killing of the powerful, pro-democracy opposition leader has fuelled doubts about stability and the transition to democratic rule in nuclear-armed Pakistan, a crucial US ally in its anti- terrorism efforts.

Farooq said election offices in 11 districts of Sindh, Bhutto’s home province, were burned down in the disturbances, destroying transparent ballot boxes, voters screens, voters lists and other election materials.

Supporters of Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the other main opposition party, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, had wanted the election to go ahead as planned, fearing a delay would work to President Pervez Musharraf’s advantage.

“Whatever reasons they give are such lame-duck excuses, because the electoral papers and lists were burnt in the districts but they have those lists in the central office,” said Farzana Raja, a spokeswoman for the PPP.

The PPP would expect to reap a considerable sympathy vote after Bhutto’s assassination in a gun and bomb attack as she left a rally in Rawalpindi last week.

Nearly 60 people were killed in the ensuing violence and, while the situation has now calmed, it remains tense and analysts said a postponement could lead to further rioting.

Markets are gripped by fears of capital flight if security worsens in Pakistan.

Musharraf was expected to announce late yesterday he was to seek international help in investigating Bhutto’s murder.

Foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said the government was open to outside assistance and the US and Britain had offered help. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, visiting Pakistan on Tuesday, had also offered help, he said.

Kouchner laid a wreath at the park where Bhutto was killed.

Pakistani shares slid 2,3% yesterday as nerves returned to the market ahead of the Musharraf address.

The main index has fallen nearly 10% since Bhutto’s killing last week.

“The market was expecting a delay and has already discounted the news.

“The issue now is what reaction the political parties will have and that might affect the market,” said Shehzad Chamdia Securities CE Ahsan Mehanti, after the announcement of the election delay.

The US had initially urged Pakistan to press ahead with the elections as scheduled but later said a short delay would be acceptable.

“The important thing is that there is a date certain to hold elections, and the Pakistani people will have the opportunity to elect their new government soon and that this government is ready to address the challenges facing the country,” said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

Bhutto’s widower, Asif Ali Zardari, the new co-chairman of the PPP alongside their 19-year-old son Bilawal, met party colleagues late yesterday.

Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League said opposition parties should unite around a common platform demanding the resignation of Musharraf and the election commission.

“General Musharraf has failed to ensure law and order and the election commission has failed to hold elections on schedule,” said the Muslim League spokesman Ahsan Iqbal.

“Under these circumstances, both must resign and we should have a neutral national unity government and an independent election commission,” Iqbal said yesterday.