ISLAMABAD: A recent survey by Gallup Pakistan has uncovered widespread public dissatisfaction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), highlighting growing concerns over governance, service delivery, economic hardship, and accountability under the newly formed government led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Conducted between February and March 2025, the province-wide survey gathered opinions from 3,000 respondents. The findings paint a troubling picture of life in KP just months into the new administration’s tenure.
Poor Access to Basic Services
A staggering 74% of respondents reported lacking access to clean drinking water and education, while 63% said healthcare services were inadequate. Conditions are notably worse in rural and southern parts of the province. Gas is unavailable to 66% of residents, and 49% report poor or non-existent electricity access. Youth-focused infrastructure is virtually absent, with most communities lacking parks, libraries, or community centers.
Lag in Development and Rising Corruption Concerns
While PTI’s previous term was credited with improvements in roads and transportation, fewer than half of those surveyed have seen new development projects since the 2024 elections. Notably, 49% of PTI supporters themselves say no recent development has occurred in their area.
Public concern about corruption is high: over half believe development funds have been misused, and 71% support corruption investigations — a sentiment echoed by many PTI voters. Nearly 50% say corruption in government departments has increased.
Economic Struggles Dominate Public Sentiment
Unemployment and lack of opportunity dominate economic concerns, with 59% citing joblessness and 67% pointing to limited opportunities. The government’s economic initiatives remain largely invisible to the public, and 73% believe hiring is based on connections rather than merit.
Mixed Views on Security and Justice
While 58% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the overall security situation, 57% — particularly in southern KP — still fear terrorist activity. The formal justice system is widely seen as ineffective and corrupt, prompting 84% of those aware of traditional jirgas to prefer them over the courts.
Sehat Card Praised, But Leadership Under Scrutiny
One of the few bright spots is the Sehat Card health programme, which earned an 83% approval rating. However, only 38% of respondents believe CM Gandapur is performing better than his predecessors, and 47% said they would prefer to see Imran Khan in the role.
Call for Improved Federal-Provincial Relations
Despite the provincial government’s confrontational posture, 85% of respondents favor improved cooperation between KP and the federal government. Meanwhile, 60% believe the KP government has focused too heavily on protests instead of governance.
Official Response Rejects Survey
In response to the findings, KP Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, dismissed the survey as baseless and politically motivated. He accused Gallup of crafting the report to serve the interests of what he termed “Form 47” governments — a reference to alleged electoral manipulation.
Saif questioned the credibility of the survey, asking why it did not address issues in other provinces, such as lawlessness in Sindh’s kacha areas or Karachi’s waste management problems. “Public narratives are shaped by votes, not fake surveys,” he emphasized.
