ISLAMABAD: Fifty-nine percent citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said in a survey report unemployment had increased in the province.
This was revealed in a Gallup Pakistan survey in which 3,000 people from the province participated.
Nineteen percent were of the opinion unemployment had decreased, the survey revealed.
Sixty-seven percent said the provincial government had not taken any steps to reduce unemployment, while 28pc said many steps were taken in this regard.
Sixty-three percent said it was difficult to start a business in the province, while 33pc said it was easy. Three percent refrained from giving any opinion on the question.
Fifty-nine percent said doing business in Punjab was easier than in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thirty-one percent gave the opposite opinion, and said it was easier to do business in KP.
In the survey, 54pc of citizens appeared unaware of provincial government’s programmes for small and medium businesses. Twenty-seven percent said they were satisfied with the government’s programmes. Nineteen percent appeared dissatisfied.
Most of KP citizens appeared satisfied with PTI’s Sehat Card. Eighty-three percent said health card had improved access to medical facilities for the poor. Fourteen percent said the card had not benefited the poor. Three percent did not answer the question.
The rate was also higher among opposition parties. Eighty-eight percent from PTI, 85pc from JUIF, 76pc from PMLN and 75pc from ANP said Sehat Card would improve access to medical facilities for the poor.
In the survey, 54pc percent said they had their own or someone else’s health card, while 45pc said they had no such a card. Two percent did not answer the question.
Seventy percent appreciated giving youth an opportunity to play a role in government affairs. However, 24pc complained they were not involved in government affairs.
Sixty-nine percent of citizens surveyed from the province said youth should be included in government decision-making, while 24pc gave the opposite opinion and said youth were not included in government decision-making.
Public opinion was divided on the effectiveness of youth training programmes. Forty-six percent called the government’s programmes for youth effective, while 35pc said they were ineffective.
Fifty-two percent were satisfied with training programmes for skilled people. Thirty-seven said they were dissatisfied.
Fifty-five percent called provincial government’s performance in providing rights to the disabled good, while 38pc expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance in this regard. Seven percent did not answer the question.
On the question of availability of equal opportunities for education and employment for the disabled, 52pc said opportunities were not available, and provincial government had failed to do so. However, 43pc said education and employment opportunities were available for the disabled.
Fifty-five percent of KP citizens were also angry with the provincial government for not starting development programmes, including road improvement, in the province. Thirty-three percent said development programmes were initiated, while 12pc did not answer this question.
Forty-three percent of PTI voters were among those who expressed their displeasure over not starting development programmes. Among other parties, 81pc of ANP, 65pc of PMLN and 63pc of JUIF voters were angry with the provincial government for not initiating development programmes.