Pakistan Elections and World reaction..

US media closely follows crucial Pakistan vote

Courtesy: Daily Times

WASHINGTON: The US media on Monday covered Pakistan’s elections closely, analysing what impact the outcome could have on the country’s future policies, particularly in the context of combating terrorism in the region.

The mainstream American newspapers and news channels intently reported the election process with experts voicing their opinions on how the widely-anticipated vote could bring about democratic transition and pull the country out of crisis.

CNN discussed the significance of the poll in the context of US-Pakistan anti-terror cooperation. Experts told the channel that the vote could be a landmark in setting the country course on a progressive path as public opinion had sharply turned against militancy.

The Fox News channel reported that the elections were generally peaceful. “The shape of the new government will effect the future shape of war on terror” in the region, a Fox News correspondent said.

The Washington Post carried two major stories in its print edition, weighing the prospects of the election being fair and transparent in the light of public opinion. It also highlighted the reasons for the United States’ deep interest in the vote. The newspaper also hosted a discussion on the Post Global bog, with the writer making a case for political forces unifying post-election in the face of the challenges confronting the country.

“Pakistan voters defy threats” was the headline of a news story in USA Today, which reported on electoral process in view of security situation in the run-up to the vote.

The Los Angeles Times headlined its story “Pakistan polls close; no major attacks,” as it praised the bravery of the millions of voters across the country who cast ballots despite threat of violence. “A campaign marked by bombings and an assassination is capped by an election day free of major attacks,” the sub-headline of the story read.

The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor front-paged their stories with pictures of the Pakistani polls.