ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed polls in PK-78 (Peshawar-XIII) constituency on Wednesday as Awami National Party’s (ANP) leader Haroon Bilour and 19 others were killed in a suicide blast in the Yaktoot area last night.
Bilour was the nominated candidate of ANP for PK-78. According to the electoral body, the new schedule for the constituency will be announced later. Other candidates contesting election from this constituency are Muhammad Irfan (Independent), Mahad Tariq (TLP) and Niaz Muhammad Momand (Independent).
Chief election commissioner (CEC) Justice (retired) Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan termed the attack an attempt to derail transparent elections and also reiterated that provincial governments are solely responsible for providing security to all candidates, a duty they have failed at.
Following the death of Haroon Bilour, who was a lawyer as well, The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council has announced a three-day mourning period.
