ISLAMABAD, DEC 15, SPA -- Pakistan has so far issued visas to 35 international observers to monitor the general elections scheduled for January 8, an official said. We have issued 35 visas so far but it is just the beginning and more visas will be issued in the days to come, he said. The official said around 45 visas had been approved - but not issued yet - and another 45 were in the process of approval. Various organisations and countries would send monitors to oversee the election process in Pakistan. The US State Department has sought permission for 72 election monitors. The International Republican Institute (IRI) is prominent among the organisations planning to bring in international observers.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/509437