Voters in Pakistan today cast their votes in landmark national and provincial elections. The vote marks Pakistan's first transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history. However, election violence has claimed a number of lives. In the worst attack, 12 people were killed and 40 others injured in a bombing on a political office in Karachi. Pakistan's election commission is quoted as saying it has been unable to carry out free and fair elections in the country's largest city. Shootings in Baluchistan province left atleast 4 others dead.

With queues remaining at many polling stations, voting was extended for an hour across the country, to 6.00 p.m. local time. Tens of thousands of troops were deployed at polling stations after the Pakistani Taliban threatened to carry out suicide attacks. In the run-up to the election, more than 100 people died in election-related violence. Before polls opened, Pakistan sealed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan in an effort to keep foreign militants at bay. Officials said the borders would remain closed for the next three days.

According to election commission estimate, by midday, 30 per cent of registered voters had turned out, describing the figure as very encouraging. An election commission spokesman said they hoped for a figure of 60-80 per cent by the end of the day. Provisional results are expected to come in by early tomorrow.