ISLAMABAD : The party of former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif will take part in scheduled elections on January 8, after earlier saying it would boycott, two spokesmen told AFP on Sunday.

"We will contest the election," a party spokesman said.

Meanwhile a personal spokesman for Sharif said the decision was taken after slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari had asked Sharif's party to participate.

"No major party should boycott because it would damage democracy," the spokesman, Zaeem Qadri, quoted Zardari as telling Sharif.

The party said the boycott had been announced as a gesture of solidarity after Bhutto was assassinated at a campaign rally on Thursday.

Bhutto had come back to Pakistan from exile in October to contest the elections. - AFP/de

Profile Timeline Political Career The Assassination

• Picture Gallery: Benazir Bhutto's Assassination • Bhutto's party will take part in Pakistan election: party official • Benazir Bhutto's son takes mantle as party leader • Party behind Musharraf suspends campaigning: spokesman • Pakistan says 38 dead, tens of millions of dollars in damage after unrest • Pakistan govt accused of covering up Bhutto killing