'LeT CANDIDATES!'

The United States remains concerned about the participation of Lashkar-e-Taiba-affiliated (LeT) individuals in the elections and has conveyed its concern to Islamabad as well, says the US State Department.

"We have repeatedly expressed our concerns to the Pakistani government about LeT, including the participation of LeT-affiliated individuals in the elections," the statement added.

In a statement issued in Brussels, the European Union urged Islamabad to ensure that electoral activities in all parts of Pakistan continued in "safe and secure conditions".

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said last week that Japan strongly hoped the general election would be held this month freely, fairly and peacefully, without giving in" to terrorists who wanted to disturb the democratic process in Pakistan.