Pollsters predicted a low turnout from the country's 128 million eligible voters following a lacklustre campaign overshadowed by the jailing of former prime minister Khan, and the hobbling of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party by the military-led establishment.
The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) is expected to win the most seats in Thursday's vote, with analysts saying its 74-year-old founder Nawaz Sharif has the blessing of the generals.
Adding to concerns about the integrity of the vote, authorities suspended mobile phone services just as polls opened and only began to restore them more than three hours after polls shut at 5pm local time.
Nighat Dad, a lawyer who runs the not-for-profit Digital Rights Foundation, called the blackout "an attack on the democratic rights of Pakistanis".
More than 650,000 army, paramilitary and police personnel were deployed to provide security on Thursday.
Despite the heightened security, nine people, including two children, were killed in bomb blasts, grenade attacks and shootings.
Denne historien er fra February 09, 2024-utgaven av Hindustan Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 09, 2024-utgaven av Hindustan Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'I WAS TOLD MY BROTHER...NIKHIL WAS COMMERCIAL SUICIDE'
Actor Sanjay Suri on playing an HIV-positive character and the impact it still has, despite receiving no support from the film industry
Divyenndu 'keen' on doing horror, wants to play a vampire
Actor Divyenndu, who was last seen on the big screen with the comedy film Madgaon Express, has said he would \"love to play a vampire\" in a horror film.
World AIDS Day: A guide to understanding HIV and AIDS
While general awareness around HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) has significantly improved over the years, the two conditions are still often confused for each other.
Kashmera doing fine after mishap, says husband Krushna
Fans of actor Kashmera Shah (51), who recently met with a freak accident at a mall in the US while away from her family, can finally heave a sigh of relief. Her husband, actor-comedian Krushna Abhishek (41), says that Shah is doing fine.
Samantha Prabhu's father Joseph passes away
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently took to social media to share the news of her father Joseph Prabhu's death on her Instagram Story, captioned, \"Until we meet again.\"
'I WANT TO CHALLENGE MYTHS AROUND SOCIAL CONDITIONING'
Actor Shweta Tripathi's iconic character in the Mirzapur web series, Gajgamini aka Golu, was a hit with the audience. And as the series is set to be adapted into a film, fans are thrilled about getting to experience it on the big screen.
'I do not think about the industry's acceptance'
It's been quite an eventful year for actor Sunny Kaushal, whose portrayal of a grey-shade character in Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba has earned him plaudits.
'I FELT LIKE MY 2 LOWER BODY WAS DETACHED'
Actor Rakul Preet Singh, who suffered a back injury in October, reveals how it was a particularly challenging incident in her life
'I still don't know if I was a mean mum'
Dr Madhu Akhouri Chopra, mum of actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas, recently revealed that she regretted sending her daughter to a boarding school at the age of seven.
Kluivert's penalty hat-trick makes history, Brentford thrash Leicester
Justin Kluivert scored the first ever Premier League hat-trick of penalties as Bournemouth won 4-2 at Wolves on Saturday and Kevin Schade also scored three in Brentford's 4-1 victory over Leicester.
