Caretaker setups responsible for fair elections: governor

NOWSHERA: KP Governor Ghulam Ali on Tuesday said that after the announcement of the election date by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the caretaker governments are responsible for making arrangements for conducting the general elections for the continuation and strengthening of the democratic process in the country.

Addressing the business community at Nowshera Chamber of Commerce, he said it was the responsibility of KP government and law enforcement agencies to ensure the maintenance of law and order for peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections.

Referring to Pakistan People’s Party’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s address to the workers, the governor said that every political party has its own agenda and ideology, adding that being chairman of a leading political party, Bilawal has the full right to express his opinion and stance. “I will, however, request that rumors should not be spread related to holding of the general elections,” he added.

About the repatriation of the Afghan refugees, Ghulam Ali said it was a decision by the state and must be accepted by everyone. “Pakistan and Afghanistan are two brotherly Islamic countries and Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for more than 40 years,” he pointed out.

The governor said since peace has been restored to Afghanistan now, the refugees should go back to their native country.He appreciated the Nowshera business community and said it would not be wrong if Peshawar and Nowshera are called “business hub” districts of the province. The governor said the business community must be given full support to bring the country out of the difficulties.Earlier, he inaugurated e-bill NADRA Desk at the Nowshera Chamber of Commerce.