SWABI: Leaders of various political parties said on Monday that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali’s statement that security issues might hamper electioneering in KP and Balochistan provinces had created doubts whether or not voting would be held in February next year.

In a media interview, the governor had said a full-fledged election campaign could not be run in the two provinces due to complicated security situation.

Masood Jabbar, Qaumi Watan Party’s former provincial deputy general secretary, said the governor’s statement had created further confusion about the holding of elections.

Awami National Party leader Mukhtiar Khan said the governor’s statement had dented the people’s enthusiasm about elections. “It seems the elections would be further delayed as the poll schedule was yet to be announced,” he feared.

Javid Inqilabi, Pakistan Peoples Party divisional general secretary, said any delay in polls would have serious repercussions for the country’s credibility.

However, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl leaders defended the governor, saying he had presented the true picture and did not call for suspension of elections.

HIV centre opens: The provincial health department in collaboration with Unicef opened a HIV family care centre at Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Shahmansoor, here on Monday.

Unicef health team leader Dr Inamullah and hospital director Dr Amjad Mahboob inaugurated the newly-established HIV centre.

On this occasion, Dr Mahboob emphasised the need to raise awareness among the public about HIV. He said the number of individuals affected by HIV in Swabi district had gone up to 240. The hospital director said the centre would provide free screening and treatment facilities to patients.

Unicef’s Dr Inamullah appealed to people to avail the free screening services available at the centre.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2023