Governor backtracks on KP polls date, citing challenges.

PESHAWAR -- Backtracking on his decision to hold elections to the provincial assembly on May 28, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali has called for addressing 'key challenges' before a new date for the polls is announced.

In a letter sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan in response to the watchdog's communication asking him to formally set a date for the provincial assembly polls, the governor instead of conveying the date said KP remained an epicentre of terrorism due to long-drawn war against terrorism and security-centric policies.

'Post-US withdrawal (from Afghanistan), establishment of IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) by Tehreek-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) and inconclusive reconciliation process have compounded the internal security challenges in Khyber PakhtunAkhwa,' reads the letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn.

It says kinetic threats include IEDs attacks, suicide bombing, cross-border attacks, raids, targeted killings, extortion and abduction.

Writes to ECP detailing threats from across the border; police chief says foolproof security for polls not possible

'Illegal spectrum, ethno-sectarian divide, presence of Anti-State Anarchists / societal pressure groups and anti-Armed Forces propaganda have compounded the internal security mosaic,' it reads.

The letter says that after having been sufficiently reorganised and re-energised during the reconciliation process, the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) established a 'shadow' government in Pashtun areas of the country and broke the ceasefire agreement to start massive terrorist drive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A number of times, TTP warned not to hold polio campaigns, census for elections and other development activities, particularly in merged areas. Currently, the trajectory of terrorist incidents is going upward.

For the first time, provincial assembly's elections are being held both in merged districts and settled districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa simultaneously. The security situation in merged districts is more fragile owing to settlement of terrorist groups over there from across the border. The resident threat in merged districts is almost 100pc more than settled districts. Due to this threat, free movement of politicians and polling staff is not possible.

Though merger process started five years ago, its actualisation could not materialise due to non-provision of 3pc NFC Award beside other factors, it says.

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