Multiple blasts hit three Pakistani cities on Saturday as historic polls got underway in the country. At least 15 people are feared dead and many more have been injured, media reports said. (See pics)
Two blasts in Pakistan's financial hub of Karachi targeted the office of the Awami National Party. Taliban militants had threatened to attack three political parties on election day.
Awami National Party offices were also targeted by Taliban militants during the run-up to the elections. More than 130 people were killed in bombings and shootings ahead of the historic vote in what many observers have called Pakistan's most deadly election.The vote is being watched closely by Washington since the US relies on the nuclear-armed country for help fighting Islamic militants and negotiating an end to the war in neighboring Afghanistan.
The poll marks the first time that an elected civilian administration in Pakistan has completed a full term and has stood aside to allow voters to choose its successor. There have been three military coups and four military rulers in the country.
In the historic election, former cricket star Imran Khan, who has almost mythical status in Pakistan, has challenged the dominance of the country's two main political parties, making the outcome of the election very hard to call. He is facing off against the Pakistan Muslim League-N, headed by two-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan People's Party, led by President Asif Ali Zardari.
But after five years of inflation, electricity blackouts and militant attacks, the PPP is expected to fare poorly in the vote.
While Sharif has billed himself as the candidate of experience, Khan is trying to tap into the frustrations of millions of Pakistanis who want a change from the traditional politicians who have dominated Pakistani politics for years.
As Pakistanis headed to the polls, there was a sense of excitement among an electorate aware of the historical significance of their vote and the risk they were taking.
"Bombs or terrorist attacks must not stop voters from using their right of vote," said 70-year-old Humayon Qaiser. "People will have to decide what kind of Pakistan they want. If they vote for the wrong party, they will suffer for another five years."
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Multiple blasts in Pakistan on polling day, 15 feared dead
Multiple blasts hit three Pakistani cities on Saturday as historic polls got underway in the country. At least 15 people are feared dead and many more have been injured, media reports said. (See pics)
Two blasts in Pakistan's financial hub of Karachi targeted the office of the Awami National Party. Taliban militants had threatened to attack three political parties on election day.
Awami National Party offices were also targeted by Taliban militants during the run-up to the elections. More than 130 people were killed in bombings and shootings ahead of the historic vote in what many observers have called Pakistan's most deadly election.The vote is being watched closely by Washington since the US relies on the nuclear-armed country for help fighting Islamic militants and negotiating an end to the war in neighboring Afghanistan.
The poll marks the first time that an elected civilian administration in Pakistan has completed a full term and has stood aside to allow voters to choose its successor. There have been three military coups and four military rulers in the country.
In the historic election, former cricket star Imran Khan, who has almost mythical status in Pakistan, has challenged the dominance of the country's two main political parties, making the outcome of the election very hard to call. He is facing off against the Pakistan Muslim League-N, headed by two-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan People's Party, led by President Asif Ali Zardari.
But after five years of inflation, electricity blackouts and militant attacks, the PPP is expected to fare poorly in the vote.
While Sharif has billed himself as the candidate of experience, Khan is trying to tap into the frustrations of millions of Pakistanis who want a change from the traditional politicians who have dominated Pakistani politics for years.
As Pakistanis headed to the polls, there was a sense of excitement among an electorate aware of the historical significance of their vote and the risk they were taking.
"Bombs or terrorist attacks must not stop voters from using their right of vote," said 70-year-old Humayon Qaiser. "People will have to decide what kind of Pakistan they want. If they vote for the wrong party, they will suffer for another five years."
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