A recent Gallup Pakistan survey has revealed something the PTI may not appreciate: the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are fed up – increasingly frustrated with a lack of good governance, tough economic times and services that just aren’t cutting it. While KP has long been a political stronghold for the PTI, the message from its residents is crystal clear – protest politics might have its place, but governance has to come first. The numbers tell a powerful story. A significant 53 per cent of KP citizens are unhappy with how the government is tackling corruption, and nearly half are dissatisfied with job creation. Even more concerning, less than 40 per cent believe that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is doing a better job than previous leaders. Interestingly, despite this discontent, over 85 per cent of respondents would prefer to see cooperation with the federal government rather than constant confrontation. And while two-thirds still think targeted protests can be smart, the overwhelming preference is for collaboration instead of endless agitation.
These revelations are not entirely surprising for a whole host of observers but they do mark a crucial turning point. After nearly a year and a half in power, the KP government can no longer evade its responsibilities. The chief minister and his team need to realise they were elected to deliver jobs, ensure security and improve lives in KP, not to fight political battles in Islamabad. Instead, the PTI leadership in the province appears to be solely focused on securing the release of Imran Khan. From the outset of their current term, KP’s rulers have appeared more interested in political spectacle than in serving the public. With yet another protest reportedly planned to mark Imran Khan’s imprisonment, the KP government appears determined to adhere to a strategy of confrontation, despite the people of the province demanding accountability rather than agitation. This isn’t a new issue. Political observers have long warned that the PTI’s obsession with narrative over performance would backfire. In fact, the first phase of the local government elections under the previous PTI government served as a wake-up call when voters surprisingly rebuked the party for its poor governance. It was only when the no-confidence vote against Imran was reframed as a foreign conspiracy that the PTI managed to regain its momentum.
But narratives have their limits. The 2024 general elections might have been won on a story, but now people are demanding substance. Security remains shaky, especially in districts like Kurram where sectarian violence and TTP threats continue. While 58 per cent are satisfied with law enforcement, almost the same number are still afraid of terrorism. Meanwhile, fundamental issues like healthcare, education and economic opportunity remain unaddressed. What’s truly worrying is the attitude of many PTI lawmakers in KP, who reportedly believe they were elected solely to fight for Imran Khan’s release. This is a profound misunderstanding of democratic governance. Public representatives are elected to serve their constituents, not a party figurehead. The people of KP have spoken and their message is clear: they want jobs, safety, services and integrity. They’ve given their elected leaders a chance. If the Gandapur government fails to listen now, it might not get another. Governments are judged not by how loudly they protest, but by how effectively they govern. The sooner KP’s leadership understands this, the better it will be – not just for their political future, but for the people of this long-neglected province.