Growing up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), I learned early that politics was more than just a headline; it was a reality that shaped everyday life. In 2025, public opinion surveys confirmed what many of us have felt for years: 60 per cent of KP residents believe the provincial government spends more time on political protests than on governance.
Even among Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, 49 per cent reported no improvement in jobs or development. These numbers do more than reflect dissatisfaction; they capture the lived experiences of ordinary citizens whose hopes for a better life remain unfulfilled.
I have seen this firsthand. Local university graduates are not able to get meaningful employment, and small businesses are battling increasing expenses and unreliable policies. Roads are not up to standard, medical facilities are unevenly spread, and basic services are either late or missing.
In the meantime, political leadership is involved in high-profile protests and symbolic gestures, which are intended to achieve visibility and make points against opponents. To most, these performances have no connection with actual life, as there is a government more concerned with appearances than results.
This is not a local aggravation. The experience of KP is a worldwide trend, whereby citizens all over are becoming increasingly demanding of governments to deliver tangible outcomes, as opposed to ideological allegiance. Political loyalty is no longer unconditional, although it remains important.
This is evident in survey data. Almost half of the supporters of PTI testify that they have not seen any improvement in jobs or development, which is an indicator that even a loyal base will not support them unless such promises are turned into actual change. It is a lesson to all leaders that when the fundamental needs of citizens are not met, political messaging can only take them so far.
Being a member of KP, I can say this with a great degree of confidence: loyalty is not sufficient. It is governance that addresses the needs of the people it serves. If governments do not do so, it is not politics that suffers; it is the people
The financial aspect is especially harsh. In KP, the high rate of unemployment and the unavailability of development projects make many of the youth feel neglected. In my case, at the university I attend, most graduates have not been employed despite good degrees. It is not a one-off case; it reflects the overall pattern in KP, where development and employment stagnation are a source of frustration. People are wondering why politics is more important than policies that can enhance their lives.
The effects of this disconnection are extensive. Governments that focus on protest and political spectacle at the expense of service delivery run the risk of losing trust, not only with one party but with the whole political system. In KP, the distance between leadership and citizens makes people feel helpless and that their voices and needs are not taken into consideration.
This trend is echoed internationally because in most countries, both in Latin America and in some regions of South Asia, the legitimacy of governments is becoming increasingly reliant on their capacity to deliver. The inability to do so creates a pathway to social unrest, political instability, and disengagement in the long run.
Yet there is hope. The strength of citizen awareness and public accountability is also shown in the story of KP. The fact that these frustrations are being captured through surveys is an indication that people are listening, monitoring government performance, and demanding more. Attentive governments that focus on visible results and that invest in meaningful development can earn back trust.
For me, this is personal. I have observed the effects of the lack of integration between governance and the needs of the people, leaving families desperate, young people disillusioned, and communities fragmented. I have experienced the disappointment of waiting for roads to be repaired, schools to be improved, and employment opportunities to be created. I have also witnessed the strength of individuals who never give up, who work, and who vote despite such obstacles.
KP, as well as most parts of the world, is at a crossroads. The future actions of the government will measure whether the trust of the citizens will be regained or whether frustration will become the new norm in this country.
Being a member of KP, I can say this with a great degree of confidence: loyalty is not sufficient. It is governance that addresses the needs of the people it serves. If governments do not do so, it is not politics that suffers; it is the people.