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On May 11 2013 Pakistani general elections have inaugurated what is considered to be the first civilian succession in the country's 66 years independent history. The victory of Nawaz Shariff remains embedded in high expectations due to his entrepreneurial background and conciliatory rhetoric towards India. Third time prime minister, Shariff's mandate must tackle huge economic problems as Pakistan trembles on the brink of statehood failure. On the other hand the arrest and indictment of former strongman, Pervez Musharaff adds another first timer to the routinization of Pakistani political life. Never before a military ruler has faced prosecution. However optimism must follow a moderate pace as surprises may still unfold: either from the military brass, reluctant to give away a former boss, either from Pakistani Talibans and other extremist groups. For the American part, Washington's shuttle diplomacy tries to maintain a non zero-sum balance between New Delhi and Islamabad as each of them may trigger mayhem in the proximity of a shaky Afghanistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]