Mumbai-terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed cast his vote today in the Pakistan general elections. Many Pakistani extremist leaders, accused of spreading religious hatred and instigating sectarian violence, are among hundreds of candidates contesting the elections today.


The Hafiz Saeed-led banned Jamat-ud Dawa's candidates are fighting this general election with an aim to make Pakistan a "citadel of Islam." Saeed's son and son-in-law are contesting the elections. Saeed is one of the United States' most-wanted terrorist suspects, accused of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed has frequently hit the campaign trail for Pakistan's general election.


As Pakistan goes to polls today, all eyes are on the constituencies of the three main players of the July 25 election - Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan. Pakistanis will elect a new prime minister in the second democratic transition of power in the nation's 70-year chequered history amid accusations of manipulation by the powerful army and concerns over the participation of Islamic hardliners in large numbers.