An attempt by self-proclaimed President Pervez Musharraf to hold local elections as a precursor to reestablishing democracy in Pakistan has produced a violent backlash including a boycott of the municipal elections by two powerful political parties. Already three candidates for office in Karachi have been killed, and a bomb exploded in a Karachi movie theater July 1, a day before elections were scheduled to begin, killing one and injuring 14. The staggered elections around the country began in December and will end in August. Given recent incidents and Pakistan’s history with election violence, more trouble is likely.
