KARACHI, July 2: The Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, said conspiracies by elements spreading negative propaganda against local bodies’ polls, and rumours that they wouldn’t be held peacefully, would be foiled. Talking to a delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) that called on him at the Governor’s House on Saturday, he said the local bodies’ polls would be held as per schedule in a transparent, free, peaceful and impartial manner.

Dr Ibad said the disinformation and propaganda campaign regarding local bodies’ polls was aimed at giving a set back to the positive atmosphere of law and order, economic progress and other aspects of city life.

He said the positive atmosphere was the result of untiring efforts of the government, and cooperation of people belonging to all walks of life.

He said any step aimed at damaging that would be foiled, adding that economic and daily life activities of the city would not be affected by any negative propaganda.

He said foreign envoys and investors had termed the city’s atmosphere positive for industrial and trade activities.

The governor said the local bodies’ polls were a small challenge, if compared to the fight against ‘international terrorism’.

He said it would be ensured that no sector of the city life was affected during the local bodies’ polls.

The delegation was led by Khalid Firoz and included Siraj Qasim Telli, Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooqui, Mian Abrar Ahmed, Majeed Haji Mohammad.

Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui and IGP Asad Jahangir, were also present.—PPI