PM Shehbaz challenges PTI over 13 years in KP: Does the party have answers?

Speaking at a meeting of the PML-N parliamentary party from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Islamabad, the prime minister questioned whether the provincial government had used public money honestly and effectively. He said the people of the province were still waiting for better hospitals, schools, universities and other basic facilities.

His remarks came amid growing political tensions between the federal government and PTI. The federal government imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on October 11, accusing the provincial government of “deliberate disengagement” from efforts to fight terrorism.

PM Shehbaz questions PTI’s development promises

Criticising PTI’s long period in power, Shehbaz said the party had made several promises but failed to deliver the expected results. He said its leaders had organised rallies, long marches and sit-ins while making repeated claims about development.

“They have been in power in KP for 13 years. Over these 13 years, they have raised countless slogans, delivered fiery speeches, held long marches and sit-ins, and made numerous promises.”

The prime minister recalled PTI’s promises to build hundreds of dams, produce hundreds of megawatts of solar energy and establish hospitals, universities and schools across the province. He questioned how many of these projects had actually been completed.

“How many universities have been established there? How many new hospitals have been built? How much has the healthcare system improved? What facilities have actually been provided to the people? And how much corruption has taken place in the process?” he asked.

Shehbaz also questioned whether the provincial government had spent public funds transparently and used them for the benefit of ordinary people. He said development should be measured by improvements in people's lives rather than political speeches and promises.

Prime minister highlights problems across KP

Shehbaz said residents in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were still facing problems because of a lack of basic facilities. He specifically mentioned Peshawar, Kohistan, Hazara and the southern areas of the province.

“From Peshawar to Kohistan and Hazara, and across the entire southern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the majority of people would tell you that the PTI government has done very little, if anything, to address their basic needs,” he said.

The prime minister also recalled the sacrifices made by the province during Pakistan’s fight against terrorism. He said terrorist activities had been brought under control to “a considerable extent” by 2017-18.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was among the provinces that made the greatest sacrifices in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

Shehbaz said terrorism had caused enormous human and economic losses across Pakistan. He estimated that around 80,000 people had lost their lives and the country’s economy had suffered losses of approximately Rs15,000 billion.

PM Shehbaz recalls terrorism and 2014 protests

The prime minister praised former premier and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif for his policies against terrorism following the 2014 Army Public School attack. More than 140 students and teachers were killed in the tragedy, which shocked the entire country.

Shehbaz also criticised PTI over its protests and political activities during the past two and a half years. He recalled the 2014 sit-in in Islamabad, which affected a planned visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping was scheduled to visit Pakistan. We made repeated efforts to persuade the party to call off its sit-in so that President Xi’s visit could proceed as planned, but it refused. As a result, the visit was postponed,” he said.

The prime minister said the postponement had affected an important diplomatic engagement with China. He argued that political protests should not interfere with national interests and important international relations.

PTI blamed for rising security challenges

Shehbaz also accused PTI of allowing “brutal terrorists” from Afghanistan to settle in Swat. He said such developments had contributed to the return of terrorism in the region.

“These were among the most painful and heartrending incidents that allowed terrorism to regain momentum,” he said.

The prime minister added that thousands of civilians and security personnel had been martyred during the past two and a half years. He said the federal government had offered PTI an opportunity to work together against terrorism, just as political forces had cooperated in the past.

However, political disagreements between the two sides have continued. The federal government maintains that stronger cooperation is necessary to improve security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Shehbaz Sharif’s criticism shows that KP’s governance and security have become major points of political disagreement between PML-N and PTI. Both development and the fight against terrorism remain important concerns for the province.

Political arguments alone cannot solve these problems. The people of KP need better healthcare, education, development projects and effective security measures, along with cooperation between the federal and provincial leadership.

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