Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Favors Stability and Progress Over Protests

A recent survey in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reveals a growing public desire for peace and development over disruptive protests, signaling frustration with political agitation. This article examines the shifting sentiment in KP, governance challenges under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and the broader implications for Pakistan’s northwest.

In KP, a Gallup Pakistan survey conducted in July 2025 shows that 53% of residents reject protest politics, favoring stability and progress instead. Only 40% expressed willingness to join future protests, reflecting a clear shift in a region long dominated by PTI’s confrontational stance. “People are tired of street drama,” said local shopkeeper Amir Khan in Peshawar, echoing sentiments from the survey. Residents cite poor infrastructure, rising unemployment, and misused development funds as pressing concerns, with 59% noting that joblessness has worsened and 52% believing funds are being squandered. This dissatisfaction challenges PTI’s decade-long governance in KP, where 49% of its own voters report no recent development in their areas.

The survey highlights a broader call for accountability and improved governance. An overwhelming 85% of respondents demand better cooperation between KP and the federal government, criticizing the provincial leadership’s focus on protests over public services. “We need hospitals, schools, and jobs, not rallies,” said Saira Bibi, a teacher in Swat, in an interview with Geo.tv. The data suggests even PTI supporters are frustrated, with 73% wanting corruption probes into local governance. This aligns with conservative values emphasizing order, responsibility, and practical results over ideological battles.

Recent events underscore KP’s unrest, with protests against lawlessness in Bajaur and Lower Dir drawing thousands, accusing the government of apathy toward rising insecurity. Meanwhile, PTI’s planned “Imran Khan Free Movement” protest on August 5, 2025, led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, faces skepticism. Posts on X, such as one from @pretty_soul29, note that 60% of KP residents see these protests as a distraction from governance. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has warned against violent demonstrations, signaling tensions that could further destabilize the region.

KP’s message is clear: citizens crave effective leadership and tangible progress. As the province rejects protest-driven politics, its leaders must prioritize peace and accountability to restore public trust and deliver on long-overdue promises.