Twin bombings killed at least ten
people and wounded dozens more in Pakistan as voters streamed to the
polls for the country's landmark election today.
The
violence underlined the dangers the people of Pakistan face as they
vote in the historic election pitting a cricket star-turned politician
against an unpopular incumbent and a two-time prime minister.
The
blasts in the port city of Karachi targeted the political offices of
the Awami National Party (ANP), one of three secular liberal parties
that have been targeted by Taliban militants during the run-up to the
election, said police officer Shabir Hussain.
Explosions: An injured blast victim is pushed to
hospital on a stretcher after twin bombs exploded in Karachi on
election day in Pakistan
Aftermath: There were chaotic scenes in Karachi
in the wake of the deadly bomb blasts today, as an ANP supporter in
bloodstained clothing (left) dashed inside, while emergency workers
tended to the injured (right)
Dazed: A crowd gathered at the site of the explosions in the port city of Karachi this morning
More than 130 people have been
killed in bombings and shootings ahead of today's vote, which many
observers have called Pakistan's most deadly election.
The vote is being watched closely by
Washington since the U.S. relies on the nuclear-armed country's help in
fighting Islamic militants and negotiating an end to the war in
neighboring Afghanistan.
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.
Violence: Twin explosions killed nine people in
Pakistan today as people flooded to the polls to vote in the country's
landmark election
Defiant: Pakistani women lined up with their
children on the outskirts of Islamabad today to cast their votes,
despite the threat of terrorist attacks
Under watch: Voters wait for a polling station in Karachi to open as Pakistani paramilitary soldiers stand guard
Security: The number of people killed in the run up to the elections now exceeds 130
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 to
vote,' said 70-year-old Islamabad voter 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.'
Landmark: Today's election pits cricket
star-turned-politician Imran Khan against two-time former prime minister
Nawaz Sharif and the President Asif Ali Zardari
DAILYMAIL
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