Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political theatre has turned into a test of Pakistan’s institutional sanity. For a week, the province remained paralysed by a crisis that exposed just how far power struggles have replaced governance. What began as Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation turned into a full-blown constitutional farce as Governor Faisal Karim Kundi first denied receiving the resignation. Later, he quibbled over “mismatched signatures” as if an entire province could be held hostage to stationery. The provincial assembly, dominated by the PTI, however, moved ahead and elected Sohail Afridi as chief minister with more than 90 votes, as a result of which, the opposition walked out, alleging manipulation. Suddenly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had two men claiming the same office; an absurdity made possible by political spite.
The federal government’s response further deepened the mess. Ministers in Islamabad kept questioning credentials and even hinted at Governor’s Rule. In the end, Mr Afridi took the oath amid confusion and court protection; a newly elected leader forced to seek bail to perform his duties.
This paralysis could not have come at a worse time. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the country’s most volatile province, the frontline of an escalating insurgency. Last year alone, militants carried out more than 170 attacks here. The province that once symbolised resilience now teeters between insecurity and neglect. Development has stalled, revenues have dried up, and governance is adrift. Afridi’s first statements–pledging confrontation and threatening nationwide paralysis if Imran Khan’s prison conditions changed–revealed more heat than leadership. He would do well to realise that standing at the wheel and protesting in the streets are two different games altogether.
The federal government has done no better. Twice now, attempts to install non-PTI governments in KP have been considered and then withdrawn in fear of backlash. Even those who play the long game have begun to realise that Pakistan cannot be governed by engineered crises. Forty-five million people live in KP. They cannot be treated as pawns in the power chess.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent assurance to work with Chief Minister Afridi is welcome, though it comes after much damage. The two sides must now trade rhetoric for responsibility since the fight against terrorism, economic rehabilitation, and administrative repair should take precedence over egos. *