Public discontent grows in Pakistan's northwest province ruled by Imran Khan's party — Gallup

Arab News

12 hours ago

ISLAMABAD: A new Gallup Pakistan survey reveals a sharp decline in public satisfaction in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province where the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has ruled for over a decade, with residents citing poor infrastructure, widespread unemployment and lack of accountability
The findings, based on face-to-face interviews with 3,000 residents across KP's seven divisions, offer a rare look at grassroots sentiment in a province that has long been a PTI stronghold. The survey was conducted in February and March 2025, with analysis completed by June.
PTI first came to power in KP in 2013 and has governed the province since. Following the last general elections in 2024, the party formed the provincial government once again, even as its founder, Imran Khan, remains in jail on multiple legal charges he says are politically motivated.
'Despite 13 years of PTI governance, even its own voters are expressing disappointment,' the Gallup survey report said. 'Up to 49 percent of PTI supporters said no recent development had taken place in their area.'
A majority of respondents, 59 percent, reported rising unemployment, while 67 percent said the government had failed to create jobs or business opportunities. Basic services remain uneven: 66 percent said gas was unavailable, and 49 percent reported poor or no electricity access.
Facilities for youth are especially lacking: 77 percent said they lacked access to parks, 81 percent to libraries, and 70 percent to community centers.
Corruption was a recurring theme across sectors. 52 percent of respondents believe development funds were misappropriated, and just 32 percent said they were used properly. Support for accountability was high even among PTI supporters.
'71 percent of respondents, including 62 percent of PTI voters, support formal investigations into alleged corruption in mega projects during PTI's rule,' Gallup Pakistan said.
A further 48 percent said corruption in government departments has increased, and 40 percent believe it is more prevalent in KP than in Punjab.
HEEALTH CARD YES, GANDAPUR NO
The PTI's flagship health insurance scheme, the Sehat Card, remains the most popular initiative, with 83 percent of respondents, 88 percent of them PTI voters, saying it has improved health care access.
Yet only 38 percent of respondents said current KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is performing better than his predecessors, and 47 percent said they would prefer to see Imran Khan in the role despite his ongoing imprisonment and legal battles.
Half the respondents said Punjab's chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is performing better than Gandapur.
'The contrast between continued support for PTI's welfare programs and disillusionment with current leadership signals a shift in political expectations,' the report observed.
The disconnect between government and people on federal ties also comes up in the survey. The PTI-led government has been at odds with the federal administration since at least the 2024 election and even earlier, engaging in protests and public disputes.
Yet the Gallup report shows '85 percent of KP residents favor stronger collaboration between the provincial and federal governments,' suggesting popular support for more cooperative governance.
Another 60 percent of respondents said the KP government had 'wasted time in protests and demonstrations rather than focusing on governance.'
The formal justice system is also under increasing public scrutiny. The survey found that 70 percent of respondents feel courts take too long to deliver justice, 50 percent consider the judiciary corrupt, and 53 percent believe court decisions are politically influenced.
In contrast, traditional tribal dispute resolution mechanisms, or Jirgas, are gaining favor.
'84 percent of those aware of the Jirga system support it, and 70 percent believe Jirga decisions are fair,' Gallup reported.
In conclusion, the Gallup Pakistan survey shows that while PTI still enjoys loyalty from a core voter base, rising economic pressures, lack of development and demand for transparency have eroded its standing among the broader population.
'The survey offers a sobering assessment of public sentiment across KP. Despite strong backing for select welfare programs and the continued popularity of PTI among its base, citizens are increasingly frustrated with lackluster service delivery, limited job opportunities, corruption, and unfulfilled promises,' the concluding note in the survey report said.
'The overwhelming demand for accountability and equitable governance signals a critical juncture for provincial leadership and institutions.'