The Persistent Governance Failures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under PTI: A Critical Analysis of Leadership Changes and Unmet Promises

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has been under the rule of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for over a decade, starting from 2013. This long period of governance was meant to bring change, as promised by PTI’s founder, Imran Khan. However, the reality shows a different picture. The party’s two previous terms, spanning from 2013 to 2018 and 2018 to 2023, were marked by failures in key areas such as security, employment, education, health, and infrastructure. In 2024, after PTI won the provincial elections again, Ali Amin Gandapur became Chief Minister (CM). But by October 2025, he was removed, and Sohail Afridi was elected as the new CM on October 13, 2025. This change appears to be an attempt to save face amid growing criticism of incompetence and poor governance. Yet, it raises questions: Will switching leaders fix deep-rooted problems, or is PTI just trying to mislead the people? This article examines these issues with statistical data and logical reasoning, showing how PTI’s rule has led to ongoing suffering in KP. The analysis uses simple facts to highlight why real change needs more than new faces.

Failures in Security and Law Enforcement During PTI’s First Two Terms

One of the biggest promises PTI made when it first came to power in 2013 was to bring peace to KP, a region hit hard by terrorism and conflict. The province had suffered from years of militant attacks, especially in areas like the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which merged with KP in 2018. However, data shows that security did not improve much under PTI’s watch.

In the first term (2013-2018), PTI claimed to fight terrorism through police reforms and better intelligence. But statistics tell a different story. According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), hundreds of security incidents occur each year. For example, in 2017 alone, KP saw over 200 terrorist attacks, killing more than 300 people. The government failed to fully end illegal smuggling and the drug trade, which are linked to militant groups. Reports from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and others point to ties between some PTI leaders and smuggling networks, allowing these problems to continue.

The second term (2018-2023) was even worse. Terrorism rose again, with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) becoming stronger. A 2023 report noted 169 security incidents in nearby Balochistan, but KP faced similar issues, with attacks in districts like Khyber and Tirah. A Gallup Pakistan survey in 2025 found that 57% of people in southern KP still feared terrorism, despite PTI’s claims of better security. Why did this happen? Reasoning points to poor policies, like failed peace talks with militants and a lack of action against their supporters. Instead of building strong institutions, the government focused on political rallies and blame games. This incompetence has allowed mafia groups in drugs and smuggling to grow, as seen in ongoing FIA raids. As a result, peace was not achieved, and the people of KP paid the price with their lives.

Economic and Employment Shortcomings: A Pattern of Neglect

Unemployment and lack of jobs have been major issues in KP, especially for young people. PTI promised to create opportunities through merit-based hiring and big projects. But data shows they failed in both terms.

Between 2013 and 2018, the unemployment rate in KP was around 8-9%, higher than the national average of 6%. The government discussed merit, but reports revealed that jobs were often allocated based on favoritism rather than merit. A 2018 study by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) highlighted how corruption in hiring hurt the economy. Between 2018 and 2023, things got worse. A 2025 Gallup survey revealed that 59% of KP residents saw rising unemployment, and 67% said the government failed to create jobs. Southern KP districts, such as Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu, were overlooked, receiving little to no significant investments in water, health, or employment.

The reasoning is clear: PTI spent more on political events than on actual development. For instance, the Billion Tree Tsunami project was hailed as a success, but audits revealed it was marred by corruption and offered little in terms of job creation. Migration data supports this failure. From 2019 to 2021, KP’s share of migrants leaving Pakistan for work was twice its population share, with many going to other provinces or abroad due to a lack of local opportunities. About 26% of all Pakistani migrant workers in 2020 came from KP, showing people fled the province for better lives. This outflow proves PTI could not deliver economic growth, leaving youth without hope.

Deficiencies in Education, Health, and Infrastructure

Education and health are basic needs, but the governments of PTI did not meet them. In education, PTI claimed significant achievements, like building schools and improving quality. A 2018 PTI report said they developed the sector with stats on enrollment. However, a 2019 KP Education Sector Analysis revealed poor outcomes, characterized by high dropout rates and low skills, which in turn lead to unemployment. In southern districts, schools lacked basics, and a 2021 Express Tribune article asked why PTI failed to improve public education.

Health was similar. A 2025 study on KP’s health reforms found only 35.9% public satisfaction. Hospitals in rural areas, especially ex-FATA, had shortages. The National Finance Commission (NFC) Award gave KP an extra 1% share (about 3% of the divisible pool) for ex-FATA development after the 2018 merger, raising its total to 19.46%. However, from 2019 to 2024, the federal government provided funding at a rate of 14.62%, which KP did not utilize effectively. People still lack water, electricity, and health services. Reasoning: Corruption ate the money, as seen in scandals like gold mining embezzlement worth billions.

Infrastructure projects failed, too. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Peshawar, started in 2017, cost billions but became a symbol of corruption. NAB recovered substantial amounts from contractors for fake guarantees and delays, resulting in Rs 86 billion in damages. It was the only major project, yet it runs at a loss, spending twice what it earns. No other big initiatives helped the economy or people.

Ali Amin Gandapur’s Tenure and Removal: Face-Saving Amid Incompetence

In 2024, Gandapur became CM after PTI’s win. His time was short and troubled. He faced criticism for ties to militants and poor handling of floods, where over 400 died due to a slow response. Public discontent grew; a 2025 survey showed 60% said the government wasted time on protests, not governance. Imran Khan removed him on October 8, 2025, citing security concerns and “independent moves.” Gandapur resigned, but confusion over signatures delayed the transition. This removal was face-saving, hiding incompetence like failing to stop TTP attacks that killed 11 soldiers in October 2025.

The New Chief Minister and Continuing Sufferings

Sohail Afridi was elected CM on October 13, 2025, with 90 votes. But he follows the same PTI path. Early signs show no change; the party still focuses on protests over delivery. A 2025 Gallup survey found 53% dissatisfied with anti-corruption efforts and 50% opposing more protests. Reasoning: Without fixing root causes like corruption and neglect, sufferings in security, jobs, and services will continue. Changing CMs deceives people into believing progress is being made, but it’s actually a tactic to maintain power.

To conclude, PTI’s 13 years in KP reveal apparent failures across sectors, as evidenced by data on high unemployment (9%), ongoing terrorism (57% fear it), low health satisfaction (35.9%), and significant migration outflows (26% of migrants). Gandapur’s removal and Afridi’s appointment are face-saving moves from incompetence, not real reform. By swapping leaders, PTI attempts to deceive the public, but the province needs concrete actions, not just speeches. Actual change requires accountability, merit, and focus on people. Until then, KP’s sufferings will persist, proving a long rule without delivery harms democracy