Defying the danger of militant attacks, the 2013 elections in Pakistan, in which 86 million people were eligible to vote, brought the first transition between civilian governments in a country that has been ruled by the military for more than half of its turbulent history.

Attacks that killed several people and wounded dozens more underlined the risks many people took just casting their ballots.

Supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) celebrate as results of the general election come in. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday his PML-N party was the clear winner in Pakistan’s general election and that he hoped for a majority to avoid a coalition.

Sharif appealed to all parties to join him in tackling Pakistan’s mountainous problems after securing victory in historic elections that defied Taliban violence. Partial, unofficial results from the May 11 election represented a stunning comeback for a man deposed in a 1999 military coup – but he looked short of an outright majority, raising the prospect of another weak coalition government

On the other hand supporters of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), headed by Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, celebrate the victory of their party candidates in Rawalpindi and Khyper Pakhtunkhwa.

PTI conceded defeat in general elections early May 12, but said it would form the next government in the terror-hit northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. — Photos and Text by Agencies