PESHAWAR, once known as the “City of Flowers,” which was a symbol of development and beauty, today seems deprived of basic amenities. Clean water hasn’t reached every home, the health system hasn’t improved, and educational institutions are not aligned with modern needs.
Since May 2024, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has passed only 30 new bills, most of which concern government employees’ privileges and departmental matters. There are no visible public welfare projects. During this period, the province’s debt has increased by 28% in just one year, reaching 680 billion rupees.
Despite daily sessions in the provincial assembly, discussions are largely focused on political finger-pointing, and there is resistance to acknowledging and solving public issues. Since May 2024, the current government has passed only 30 new bills, of which only seven address public concerns. The majority of the bills focus on government privileges, government employees, and departmental matters.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s debt has increased by over 28% in just one year, reaching nearly 680 billion rupees, severely damaging its development potential. By June 30, 2024, the outstanding debt portfolio had increased to 679.547 billion rupees, up from 530.723 billion rupees on June 30, 2023, marking an increase of 28.04% (approximately 149 billion rupees).
The financial mismanagement is evident, with 10 billion rupees being taken from the pension fund and deposited into the provincial treasury under the guise of a “dividend,” which is a serious financial irregularity.
The Department of Forests and Environment has distributed billions of rupees in cash under the old and non-transparent financial system, which has been met with strong audit objections.
Punjab has announced significant initiatives, including the launch of a 10 billion rupee laptop scheme in collaboration with Google International, which provides digital skills training to over 300,000 children annually.
Punjab’s Chief Minister also unveiled measures in machine learning, artificial intelligence, e-merchandising, and start-up skill development programs, aiming to provide IT education to 4,000 children in each district. Sports competitions will be held in every district, and school sports fields will be transformed into community sports grounds. The Chief Minister assured that students who perform excellently in academics will have their university fees paid by the government. The minimum wage has been raised to 37,000 rupees, and a system is being implemented to ensure workers receive their full wages.
The question remains: Will the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa always be trapped in this mismanagement and decline, or will a glimmer of hope emerge?
Movements always thrive on the blood, sweat, and sincerity of those who are devoted to their ideology. However, in the case of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), loyalty has been met with betrayal. Those who worked day and night to spread the party’s narrative to the public are either ignored or sidelined today.
Shir Afzal Marwat, known as an ideological worker, who made sacrifices for the party, even bearing punches from Senator Afnaanullah in public, always said that he would not charge a fee for fighting Imran Khan’s case because seeing him was his fee. Yet, he has been sidelined. The same treatment was meted out to Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, as her presence was against Bushra Bibi’s agenda. Similarly, PTI appointed Junaid Akbar as the K-P president, replacing Ali Amin Gandapur, who had served time in jail for his love for Imran.
Many believe that PTI’s founders want to speak now, but they are unreliable because many promises were made, but most were not fulfilled. Imran Khan had said he would commit suicide before taking loans, yet his government took the most loans in Pakistan’s history. Imran Khan and his companions are known for their childish behavior. They have frequently mocked Bilawal’s tone, and their current ministers regularly insult other politicians by using inappropriate labels.
