The Latest Breaking News from Pakistan

About 128 million voters were registered to vote in national and state elections amid political and economic challenges.

Thursday's general elections came amid economic woes and continued political polarization. After voting began, authorities cut mobile phone and internet services, citing "deteriorating security."

People in Pakistan began voting on Thursday in an election marred by allegations of poll rigging, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and other leaders of the party, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, currently in prison. Read further on Dynamite News:

A statement from the interior ministry said "precious lives have been lost" in recent militant attacks and such "security measures are essential to maintain the law and order situation and to deal with potential threats".

The government temporarily suspends mobile phone services as it holds the parliamentary and provincial election.

Pakistanis turning out early for Thursday's election said they believe their votes count, despite allegations of rigging in the nation's most fractious poll in recent history.

Authorities said they were suspending mobile telephone services across the country during voting "to maintain law and order" following a bloody election campaign -- including two blasts on Wednesday that killed 28 people.

Pakistan’s struggling democracy faces serial crises — political, economic, on the security front, and of legitimacy.

Millions of Pakistanis vote Thursday in an election marred by violence that has killed dozens, allegations of pre-poll rigging, and the jailing of the country's most popular politician, Imran Khan.