Imran's PTI surges ahead as votes are counted in Pakistan; 34 killed

ISLAMABAD: Counting of votes has started in Pakistan, which went to polls on Wednesday in a rare democratic transition of power in its coup-studded history. The results, though, will be viewed with suspicion, given allegations of manipulation by the army and concerns over the participation of terrorist and radical groups. The race is mostly a two-way one, between former cricketer Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Initial trends showed Imran Khan's PTI ahead, but it could be 24 hours before the results are declared.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least 34 people were killed, including 31 in a deadly suicide blast outside a polling station in Pakistan's Quetta city and 36 others injured as several incidents of violence were reported as the country went to polls.

In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, a suicide blast targeting a police van killed at least 31 people, including five policemen and two minors outside the polling station, and nearly 30 others were injured in a blast near Quetta's Eastern Bypass, The Express Tribune reported.

Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan province.

A suicide bomber wanted to enter the polling station near Quetta's Eastern Bypass but failed due to the heavy presence of the Frontier Corps and the Police in and outside the polling station, Ejaz Goraya, a senior police official, said.

The Pakistan Army has stationed over 3,70,000 personnel across the country to ensure security for the election, bolstered by an additional 450,000 police.

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif has condemned the deadly suicide attack in Quetta.

PTI-chief Imran Khan also condemned the terrorist attack.

The Election Commission Of Pakistan issued a notice to PTI chairman Imran Khan for voting publicly at his NA-53 constituency and in front of the cameras. His vote was cancelled after Imran Khan was captured on video while voting.