Pakistan vote the first step on a long road

Robert Menendez, Special to CNN
4 minute read
Published 7:34 AM EDT, Mon May 13, 2013
Imran Khan, head of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party, leaves the hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, on Wednesday, May 22. Khan suffered spinal fractures and a head injury when he toppled from a forklift that was raising him up to a stage as he campaigned in Lahore for elections held on May 11. Victory in the elections went to Nawaz Sharif, a two-time former prime minister, and his party, the Pakistan Muslim League.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Imran Khan, head of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party, leaves the hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, on Wednesday, May 22. Khan suffered spinal fractures and a head injury when he toppled from a forklift that was raising him up to a stage as he campaigned in Lahore for elections held on May 11. Victory in the elections went to Nawaz Sharif, a two-time former prime minister, and his party, the Pakistan Muslim League.
SHAUKAT KHANUM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL/EPA/LANDOV
Pakistani supporters of Imran Khan take part in a protest on Monday, May 20, against the killing of Zohra Hussain in Karachi. Hussain, a politician who had alleged vote-rigging in the May 11 elections, was shot dead on Saturday, May 18. There was a re-poll on Sunday, May 19, after accusations of vote-rigging.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistani supporters of Imran Khan take part in a protest on Monday, May 20, against the killing of Zohra Hussain in Karachi. Hussain, a politician who had alleged vote-rigging in the May 11 elections, was shot dead on Saturday, May 18. There was a re-poll on Sunday, May 19, after accusations of vote-rigging.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistan's incoming prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, speaks in Lahore on May 20.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistan's incoming prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, speaks in Lahore on May 20.
Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
Voters and army troops gather outside a polling station during a revote in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sunday, May 19. A new vote was ordered after allegations of vote rigging in the May 11 elections, which former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party appears to have won.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Voters and army troops gather outside a polling station during a revote in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sunday, May 19. A new vote was ordered after allegations of vote rigging in the May 11 elections, which former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party appears to have won.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
A Pakistani woman casts her ballot in Karachi on May 19.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
A Pakistani woman casts her ballot in Karachi on May 19.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party mourn the death of Zahra Shahid Hussain, vice president of the party, outside a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday, May 18. Hussain had alleged vote-rigging in the May 11 elections.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Members of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party mourn the death of Zahra Shahid Hussain, vice president of the party, outside a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday, May 18. Hussain had alleged vote-rigging in the May 11 elections.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistani rescuers carry Hussain's body on May 18 after she was killed in what was described as an execution-style attack.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistani rescuers carry Hussain's body on May 18 after she was killed in what was described as an execution-style attack.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistani tanks deploy near a voting station on May 18 ahead of a new vote in Karachi, where complaints of rigging and irregularities were reported in the general election May 11. The army is set to be deployed at 43 polling stations ahead of voting on May 19, a media report said.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistani tanks deploy near a voting station on May 18 ahead of a new vote in Karachi, where complaints of rigging and irregularities were reported in the general election May 11. The army is set to be deployed at 43 polling stations ahead of voting on May 19, a media report said.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Female supporters of Pakistani Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif offer special prayers for the victory of their party in Peshawar on Friday, May 17.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Female supporters of Pakistani Prime Minister-elect Nawaz Sharif offer special prayers for the victory of their party in Peshawar on Friday, May 17.
A. MAJEED/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of politician Imran Khan shout slogans over allegations of election fraud during a protest in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on Monday, May 13.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Supporters of politician Imran Khan shout slogans over allegations of election fraud during a protest in Hyderabad, Pakistan, on Monday, May 13.
NADEEM KHAWER/EPA/LANDOV
Supporters of Nawaz Sharif dance and eat sweets as they celebrate the party's win in Lahore on Wednesday, May 15.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Supporters of Nawaz Sharif dance and eat sweets as they celebrate the party's win in Lahore on Wednesday, May 15.
Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
Khan's supporters stage a protest in Karachi on Sunday. Khan said his party would submit a report on alleged vote-rigging.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Khan's supporters stage a protest in Karachi on Sunday. Khan said his party would submit a report on alleged vote-rigging.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of Imran Khan shout slogans during a protest on May 12. Across the country, 29 people were killed in Election Day violence on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Supporters of Imran Khan shout slogans during a protest on May 12. Across the country, 29 people were killed in Election Day violence on May 11.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Khan supporters carry their party flags in a rally in Rawalpindi on May 12.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Khan supporters carry their party flags in a rally in Rawalpindi on May 12.
AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif's party, celebrate election results in front of a party office in Lahore on election night, Saturday, May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Supporters of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif's party, celebrate election results in front of a party office in Lahore on election night, Saturday, May 11.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Sharif's supporters celebrate May 11 in Lahore.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Sharif's supporters celebrate May 11 in Lahore.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Soldiers cordon off the site of a bomb explosion in Karachi on Saturday, May 11. Four blasts hit Karachi as people voted, causing 14 deaths and dozens of injuries.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Soldiers cordon off the site of a bomb explosion in Karachi on Saturday, May 11. Four blasts hit Karachi as people voted, causing 14 deaths and dozens of injuries.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
A bomb disposal expert examines the site of a detonation in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
A bomb disposal expert examines the site of a detonation in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Men move a stretcher carrying an injured man at a hospital, following a bomb explosion in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Men move a stretcher carrying an injured man at a hospital, following a bomb explosion in Karachi, Pakistan on May 11.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Volunteers move an injured boy to a hospital following a bomb explosion in Karachi on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Volunteers move an injured boy to a hospital following a bomb explosion in Karachi on May 11.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Volunteers gather beside the bodies of blast victims outside a hospital on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Volunteers gather beside the bodies of blast victims outside a hospital on May 11.
RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Images
Election officials count ballot papers at the end of polling in Quetta, Pakistan on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Election officials count ballot papers at the end of polling in Quetta, Pakistan on May 11.
BANARAS KHAN/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistani supporters of Islamic party Jammat-e-Islami stage a protest in front of a provincial election commission office in Karachi on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistani supporters of Islamic party Jammat-e-Islami stage a protest in front of a provincial election commission office in Karachi on May 11.
RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Images
Voters line up for their turn to vote as gaurds stand watch at a polling station in Karachi on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Voters line up for their turn to vote as gaurds stand watch at a polling station in Karachi on May 11.
A Pakistani election official marks a voter's thumb at a polling station during the general election in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on May 11.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
A Pakistani election official marks a voter's thumb at a polling station during the general election in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on May 11.
FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistani women jostle to receive their ballot papers prior to casting their ballot at a polling station on May 11, in the Old City of Lahore, Pakistan.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistani women jostle to receive their ballot papers prior to casting their ballot at a polling station on May 11, in the Old City of Lahore, Pakistan.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Voters in Rawalpindi gather around an election presiding officer to cast their ballots on May 11, 2013.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Voters in Rawalpindi gather around an election presiding officer to cast their ballots on May 11, 2013.
Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistani voters queue for their turn to cast their ballots outside a polling station in Karachi on May 11, 2013.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistani voters queue for their turn to cast their ballots outside a polling station in Karachi on May 11, 2013.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistani army soldiers stand guard outside a distribution center for election materials in Karachi on May 10, 2013. The nation's military will have 75,000 troops out around the country.
High turnout, violence mark Pakistan elections —
Pakistani army soldiers stand guard outside a distribution center for election materials in Karachi on May 10, 2013. The nation's military will have 75,000 troops out around the country.
ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images