Despite terror threats, a large number of people cast their votes in the general elections in Pakistan. The turn out exceeded 60 percent, which is a record as no previous elections witnessed such a massive turnout. The elections also prove that majority of people have rejected militants’ agenda and want peace and democracy in the country.

Several big names, who were part of the last government, lost their seats because of their poor performance and economic and power crises that the country is facing. Nawaz Sharif’s party PML (N) has almost swept the polls and he will be the next prime minister of Pakistan. Sharif has big challenges to deal with as public expectations are very high. — Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah