PESHAWAR: A growing number of citizens across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expressing disappointment with the provincial government, questioning its priorities as political agitation continues while people struggle with basic civic and economic problems.
Many residents say the provincial leadership, including Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other senior government figures, should spend more time addressing the province’s longstanding challenges instead of remaining on the roads for political activities.
Residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are increasingly disappointed with the performance of the provincial government
@GovtofPakistan @GovernmentKP
#RadioPakistan #News
https://t.co/MAsJxwIkFz https://t.co/7qmwgWm9bo— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 7, 2026
Citizens complain that hospitals continue to face serious problems, unemployment remains a major challenge for young people, and insecurity, inflation and shrinking economic opportunities continue to affect ordinary families.
Citizens demand governance, not slogans
Residents say successive promises of change have yet to translate into sufficient improvements in basic public services. They argue that people need functioning hospitals, employment opportunities, better education, improved infrastructure and a secure environment rather than political slogans.
According to citizens, the provincial government should demonstrate its performance through better governance and delivery of essential services instead of focusing predominantly on confrontation with the federal government.
The concerns are particularly significant for young people, many of whom face limited employment opportunities despite the province’s large and growing youth population.
KP’s hospitals are waiting for funds, yet government resources are out on the road for PTI’s long march. https://t.co/tYdNQkGqUi
— P Connect (@ConnectingPak) October 7, 2026
Political activity adds to economic pressure
The PTI’s ongoing political mobilisation has also raised concerns among sections of the business community, with traders warning that road closures and disruptions can further damage commercial activity.
Civil society activists, traders and members of the business community staged a protest outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in Peshawar on Monday against the PTI’s march towards Islamabad. They said continued political agitation was adding to the economic difficulties already faced by people in the province.
Traders said disruptions to movement between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab affect the transportation of goods, customers, wholesalers, retailers and daily-wage workers.
They maintained that businesses already operating under difficult economic conditions could not afford repeated interruptions to commercial activity.
Read Also: PTI March Draws Traders’ Anger as Peshawar Protesters Decry Economic Disruption
Chief minister urged to focus on provincial problems
Citizens say the chief minister and other senior provincial officials should remain focused on the problems faced by people within KP and devote greater attention to governance, economic recovery, employment generation, healthcare and restoration of peace.
They question whether prolonged political mobilisation can address the province’s pressing socioeconomic problems and urge the government to engage directly with citizens and the business community.
The worsening political situation and rising instability in KPK pose a serious threat to law and order. Giving political cover to extremist elements directly challenges state authority.
The federal government must intervene to protect the region.
#GovernorRuleForKP https://t.co/BuMgL9bvIh— Jahanzaib (@jahannzaib_) October 1, 2026
The criticism reflects a broader demand among sections of KP society for the provincial government to place governance and public service delivery at the centre of its priorities.
While the PTI maintains that its political campaign is part of its struggle for the release of party founder Imran Khan, citizens say political activities should not come at the expense of addressing the everyday needs of the province’s people.
