A deadly blast in Pakistan caused chaos in Quetta as voters lined up to select their next government. It’s the third consecutive civilian election for the country, and turnout was reportedly high.

CGTN’s Danial Khan filed this report from Islamabad.

The threat of terror attacks during the elections was always there. The country experienced a chain of attacks on political party leaders, who were killed just days ahead of the elections.

A member of the bomb disposal unit collects evidences from the site, after a suicide blast in Quetta, Pakistan July 25, 2018. (REUTERS/Naseer Ahmed)

Political candidate Imran Khan has been quite vocal about bringing everyone to the negotiating table. He believes that war is not the answer, and talking to the Taliban has always been one of his suggestions.

Pakistani politician Imran Khan, center, chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, casts his vote at a polling station for the parliamentary elections in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

As far as early election results are concerned, the Pakistan tehrik-e-Insaf has taken a lead. The total number of seats in parliament is 272. The unofficial announcements show that Imran Khan’s justice party has taken more than 100.

If Khan makes manages to get 136 seats, he’ll have a clear majority. However, it will be an enormous task to bring Pakistan out of the massive challenges it faces. Security, economy, poverty, health and education are just some of the country’s key challenges.

A voter casts her vote at a polling station during the general election in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 25, 2018. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Shuja Nawaz discusses turmoil amid Pakistan’s general elections

CGTN’s Mike Walter spoke to Shuja Nawaz about Pakistan’s general elections. Nawaz is a Distinguished Fellow for the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center.