Afghanistan?s presidential election will be held on time, President Hamid Karzai said yesterday, despite rival candidates? fears the lack of security was hampering their campaigns and undermining voting legitimacy.

However, Karzai, installed in power after US-led troops overthrew the Taliban regime in late 2001, conceded that militants were trying to disrupt the country?s first direct presidential ballot.

Karzai said he had recently received assurances from President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan that Islamabad would prevent militant infiltration into Afghanistan. More than 1,000 people have been killed in Afghanistan since August last year in violence linked to the Taliban and their Islamic allies, who Afghan officials say organise attacks mostly in Pakistan and have vowed to disrupt the election.

The security threat was highlighted 11 days ago when Karzai survived an assassination attempt by suspected Taliban guerrillas who fired a rocket as his helicopter as it landed in the southeastern town of Gardez. Karzai was forced to abort the trip. Most of Karzai?s 17 rivals have called for the poll to be postponed. They argue that poor security would lead to intimidation of voters and to fraud.

They have suggested that an interim council should replace Karzai?s government and the elections be held when security conditions improved. ?Afghanistan?s enemies and terrorists would try to create problems for holding the elections,? Karzai told local reporters, when asked to comment on calls for a delay. ?We will hold this election in any case ... I see it in Afghanistan?s interests.? Karzai said the Oct. 9 vote would give greater legitimacy to the government.

The incumbent thanked tribal chiefs from his fellow ethnic Pashtun group in the southeastern province of Khost and neighbouring Nangarhar for warning locals that their houses would be burned if they failed to vote for Karzai.

?I will invite them to Kabul to thank them for their support. There is no serious threat in (their warning); it is a tradition and the international community sees that as a pressure,? he said, when asked about the warning. Karzai is seen as favourite to win.