KHYBER Pakhtunkhwa (KP) stands at a critical crossroads. The province faces a deepening crisis of insecurity, political instability, economic uncertainty, unemployment and weak governance. The imposition of governor’s rule has added a new constitutional and administrative dimension to an already difficult situation. While the federal government has linked the measure to deteriorating law and order, it has also intensified political disagreements and raised questions about democratic representation.
The fundamental question is not merely who governs the province, but how KP can achieve lasting peace, political stability, economic prosperity and public confidence. Changing the administrative arrangement alone cannot resolve problems that have accumulated over decades. The province needs a comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying causes of instability while restoring the state’s capacity to protect citizens and deliver essential services. Peace must be the first priority, but lasting peace cannot be achieved through security measures alone.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly its southern districts and areas bordering Afghanistan, has paid a heavy price for terrorism. Security personnel and civilians face persistent threats, businesses suffer, investment declines, and access to education and healthcare is disrupted. The situation demands a coordinated counterterrorism strategy involving federal and provincial governments, police, the Counter Terrorism Department and relevant security agencies. Police capacity must be strengthened through professional training, modern equipment, adequate staffing and effective intelligence sharing.
However, security operations must be complemented by political engagement and community participation. Tribal elders, religious scholars, elected representatives, civil society and young people should be partners in restoring peace. The concerns of the merged districts, particularly regarding development, employment, justice, policing and administrative integration, deserve urgent attention. Effective border management and constructive engagement with Afghanistan must also form part of the wider strategy.
Political reconciliation is the second pillar of recovery. The present crisis demonstrates how political disagreements can escalate into institutional confrontation, ultimately harming ordinary citizens. The federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf may differ sharply, but prolonged political hostility undermines the province’s security, economy and public welfare. The Constitution and applicable legal procedures must be respected. Any extraordinary administrative arrangement should have a clearly defined purpose, transparent accountability and a credible, time-bound pathway towards representative constitutional governance.
A structured dialogue involving the federal government, PTI, other political parties and representatives of affected districts is urgently needed. The objective should be a minimum consensus on security, public services, economic recovery and political normalisation. KP must not become an arena of confrontation between Islamabad and Peshawar. The province’s future should be determined by the needs of its people rather than the competing interests of political actors.
Third, governance must become effective, transparent and accountable. Citizens judge governments not by slogans but by everyday realities: whether police respond to complaints, courts deliver justice, schools provide quality education, hospitals offer treatment and public offices function without corruption or unnecessary delays. KP needs a focused programme of administrative reform. Every department should have clearly defined responsibilities, measurable performance targets and regular reviews. District administrations must receive the authority and resources necessary to resolve local problems, accompanied by effective accountability.
Recruitment, procurement and development spending should be transparent. Digital systems can reduce corruption and administrative delays, while merit-based appointments can strengthen institutional performance. A small, professional delivery unit could monitor key priorities, including public safety, functioning schools and health facilities, employment generation and completion of development projects. The objective should be to improve existing institutions rather than create additional layers of bureaucracy.
Fourth, economic recovery and employment must become central priorities. Unemployment and limited economic opportunities, particularly for young people, threaten social stability. Insecurity discourages investment, while persistent deprivation weakens public confidence and can make communities more vulnerable to extremist exploitation. KP has considerable potential in agriculture, minerals, tourism, livestock, hydropower, information technology and trade. Realising this potential requires better infrastructure, simpler business regulations, access to finance and effective partnerships between the public and private sectors.
A provincial economic recovery programme should prioritise sectors capable of generating employment quickly. Agriculture, trade and small industries deserve particular attention in southern districts, while the merged districts need accelerated investment in roads, education, healthcare, digital connectivity and vocational training. Mineral development should encourage transparent investment, fair benefits for local communities and environmental protection. Technical education must be aligned with labour-market needs. Digital skills, freelancing, apprenticeships and financial support for small businesses can create alternatives to dependence on government employment. Women’s participation in economic activity should also be encouraged through practical support and expanded opportunities.
Fifth, fiscal fairness and development commitments must be addressed. The province’s security responsibilities and development needs require a credible financial framework. The federal and provincial governments should jointly review counterterrorism expenditure, outstanding financial commitments and the resources needed to develop the merged districts. The additional one per cent share allocated to KP under the 2010 National Finance Commission arrangement was intended to help meet the province’s exceptional security burden.
Its utilisation and the province’s current financial requirements deserve a transparent review. A federal-provincial fiscal compact should establish funding priorities, disbursement schedules, expenditure transparency and measurable results. Development resources should be allocated according to poverty, insecurity, displacement and deprivation rather than political affiliation. Financial disagreements must not prevent essential services from reaching citizens.
Sixth, justice and public trust must be restored. Peace is not simply the absence of violence; it also requires justice, dignity and confidence in public institutions. Citizens need timely access to courts, effective dispute-resolution mechanisms and protection of fundamental rights. Families affected by terrorism and displacement should receive rehabilitation and compensation through transparent procedures. Religious scholars, teachers, journalists and community organisations can promote tolerance, civic responsibility and peaceful disagreement. Young people must have meaningful opportunities to participate in community development and decision-making. Maintaining public order and protecting constitutional rights are complementary responsibilities. Peaceful political dissent should not be confused with violence, while legitimate security concerns must be addressed through lawful and accountable institutions.
Finally, KP needs a time-bound roadmap for recovery. The first 90 days should focus on civilian protection, police capacity, political dialogue, continuity of essential services and an assessment of the province’s most urgent needs. During the following year, priorities should include district development, employment programmes, administrative reforms, improved access to justice and completion of stalled projects. Over the next three to five years, the province should pursue economic diversification, stronger education and healthcare systems, effective local government and reduced regional inequalities.
Progress must be measured through indicators such as militant violence, civilian casualties, public confidence in policing, school attendance, functioning health facilities, employment, investment and development-project completion. Independent monitoring and regular public reporting can strengthen accountability. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s crisis cannot be resolved by one institution, one political party or one administrative arrangement. It requires cooperation between the federation and the province, professional security institutions, effective civilian administration and meaningful participation by local communities.
The present extraordinary arrangement must not become a substitute for long-term political and development reforms. Equally, a return to conventional politics will not constitute success if insecurity, unemployment and weak governance remain unresolved. The people of KP deserve freedom from fear, relief from perpetual political confrontation, fair governance and equal economic opportunities. The journey towards a peaceful and prosperous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa begins when every institution recognises that the province is not a prize to be captured, but a responsibility to be fulfilled.
—The writer is former Federal Health Minister.
