Pakistan election live updates: 35 killed in suicide blast, poll-related violence

Four military governments have ruled Pakistan for almost half of its 71-year history and no civilian prime minister has completed a full, five-year term in office without some sort of crisis. A timeline of major political and other events in Pakistan's history.

After an acrimonious campaign, polls opened in Pakistan on Wednesday to elect the country's third straight civilian election — a first for this majority Muslim nation that has been directly or indirectly ruled by its military for most of its 71-year history.

In what would be only its second transition from one elected government to another, Pakistan goes to polls on July 25, 2018 in its 9th general election. Analysts believe that the real competition in the election could be between jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Chances are that it could prove to a tight race that could lead to messy coalition talks. Here’s a look at what’s at stake and the key players at fray.

In the 71 years since independence, Pakistan has witnessed a troubled path to democracy. It has seen 29 prime ministers, none of which have completed a full term. The reasons for the short tenures are myriad -- from being dismissed, to military coups, resignations, disqualifications and an assassination. Here’s a look at how long Pakistan’s different prime ministers have stayed at the helm, how their tenures ended and the number of years the country has endured military rule -- whose influence casts a shadow till today.