PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali on Tuesday said that after the announcement of election date by the Election Commissions of Pakistan (ECP), the caretaker governments were responsible for making arrangements to hold polls for the “continuation and strengthening of democratic process” in the country.

Addressing the business community at the Nowshera Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nowshera district, the governor said that it was the responsibility of the provincial governments and law-enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of law and order for peaceful and transparent elections.

Mr Ali said every political party had their own agenda and ideology.

“Being the chairman of a leading political party [Pakistan Peoples Party], Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has full authority to declare his opinion and stance. However, rumours should not be spread about general elections,” he said.

The governor said it was the decision of the state to repatriate undocumented Afghan refugees and therefore, it should be accepted by everyone.

He said that Pakistan hosted Afghan refugees for more than 40 years and since peace had been restored in Afghanistan, those refugees should return.

The governor inaugurated Nadra’s e-bill desk on the premises of the Nowshera Chamber of Commerce.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2023