Inching closer to the elections

Published May 6, 2013
A Pakistani police van drives down the road during a strike in Karachi on May 5, 2013, a day after a bomb explosion near an office of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).  Three people were killed and 35 others wounded in twin bomb blasts near a local party office in the southern city of Karachi late Saturday, police said, ahead of next week's historic elections.
A Pakistani police van drives down the road during a strike in Karachi on May 5, 2013, a day after a bomb explosion near an office of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). Three people were killed and 35 others wounded in twin bomb blasts near a local party office in the southern city of Karachi late Saturday, police said, ahead of next week's historic elections.
Pakistani cricket legend and chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) or Movement for Justice party, Imran Khan (L) addresses party workers and supporters at a ceremony in Lahore on May 5, 2013.
Pakistani cricket legend and chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) or Movement for Justice party, Imran Khan (L) addresses party workers and supporters at a ceremony in Lahore on May 5, 2013.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (C) waves as he addresses his supporters during an election campaign meeting in Islamabad on May 5, 2013.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (C) waves as he addresses his supporters during an election campaign meeting in Islamabad on May 5, 2013.
Supporters of political and religious party Jamaat-e-Islami attend an election campaign rally in Karachi, May 5, 2013.
Supporters of political and religious party Jamaat-e-Islami attend an election campaign rally in Karachi, May 5, 2013.
Syed Munawar Hassan (2nd L), leader of political and religious party Jamaat-e-Islami, joins hands with the party's local leaders during an election campaign rally in Karachi, May 5, 2013.
Syed Munawar Hassan (2nd L), leader of political and religious party Jamaat-e-Islami, joins hands with the party's local leaders during an election campaign rally in Karachi, May 5, 2013.
Pakistani women mourn next to the body of a child, who killed in the Saturday's bombing, during a funeral in Karachi, Sunday, May 5, 2013.
Pakistani women mourn next to the body of a child, who killed in the Saturday's bombing, during a funeral in Karachi, Sunday, May 5, 2013.
Supporters of Imran Khan, Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician and chairman of political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hold a large scale model of a cricket bat during an election campaign rally in Lahore, May 5, 2013.
Supporters of Imran Khan, Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician and chairman of political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hold a large scale model of a cricket bat during an election campaign rally in Lahore, May 5, 2013.
Pakistani workers carry ballot boxes and electoral materials to be transported to polling stations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections, in Karachi on May 6, 2013.
Pakistani workers carry ballot boxes and electoral materials to be transported to polling stations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections, in Karachi on May 6, 2013.
Pakistani army soldiers stand guard beside boxes of electoral materials at the state-run Printing Corporation of Pakistan, before being transported to polling stations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections, in Lahore on May 6, 2013.
Pakistani army soldiers stand guard beside boxes of electoral materials at the state-run Printing Corporation of Pakistan, before being transported to polling stations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections, in Lahore on May 6, 2013.
Maulana Fazalur Rehman (C, in brown vest), chief of the Islamic party Jamiat-e- Ulema Islam (JUI), waves to supporters during a parliamentary election campaign rally in the northwestern town of Mansehra on May 6, 2013.
Maulana Fazalur Rehman (C, in brown vest), chief of the Islamic party Jamiat-e- Ulema Islam (JUI), waves to supporters during a parliamentary election campaign rally in the northwestern town of Mansehra on May 6, 2013.
Supporters of Pakistan's political party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, look for their names on the voters' list, which they say is provided by the Pakistani election commission, as they sit beside the PTI's election campaign office on the outskirts of Islamabad, May 6, 2013.
Supporters of Pakistan's political party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, look for their names on the voters' list, which they say is provided by the Pakistani election commission, as they sit beside the PTI's election campaign office on the outskirts of Islamabad, May 6, 2013.
Supporters of the secular Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) participate in an election campaign rally in Karachi on May 6, 2013.
Supporters of the secular Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) participate in an election campaign rally in Karachi on May 6, 2013.

Some major players and a few other parties are seen around the country…with the exception of one. – Photos and text by Agencies

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.