Hinting at the possible delay in elections, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Haji Ghulam Ali has said that he does not see the conduct of polls in the province within the stipulated timeframe of three months. During an interaction with journalists on Friday, the governor said a tribal jirga – comprising 400 elders belonging to merged districts – has demanded the conduct of a census before holding the general elections. On the other hand, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has raised questions over the previous census and threatened to boycott elections, he added. Ghulam Ali also raised a question if former KP chief minister Mahmood Khan could run the election campaign in his constituency during the prevailing situation. He added that it is the duty of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections keeping in view the reports of the departments concerned. Referring to rising terrorism in the province, the governor asked if elections could be held in Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat. He added that law and order issues should be addressed ahead of polls. Meanwhile, the 15th member of the caretaker cabinet of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Manzoor Khan, on Friday took oath as the interim minister. Ghulam Ali administered oath to Manzoor Khan. Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan, provincial ministers Shafiullah, Fazl Elahi, Hamid Shah, Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud, administrative officers, and social and civil personalities witnessed the oath-taking ceremony.
