By Ghulam Haider Shaikh
The ongoing political tug-of-war within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has once again exposed the widening rifts inside the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s demand for the resignation of Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, followed by the latter’s outright refusal, reveals a deepening crisis of leadership and loyalty that threatens to destabilize the province’s political environment.
Such internal clashes are not new to PTI, but their recurrence at a time when the party faces national challenges shows a worrying lack of political maturity. Instead of uniting to deliver governance in a province already burdened by economic distress, insecurity, and administrative issues, party leaders appear preoccupied with consolidating personal power. The optics of a Chief Minister summoning a Speaker and demanding his resignation do little to enhance the image of a government already accused of internal chaos and poor coordination.
Speaker Swati’s defiance, citing loyalty to PTI’s founder Imran Khan, further underlines how personality-driven politics continues to overshadow institutional responsibility. While his position reflects personal allegiance, it also demonstrates a dangerous trend where offices of the state become extensions of factional loyalty rather than constitutional roles meant to serve the public. When every post becomes politicized, governance loses both credibility and continuity.
The rift also exposes the larger malaise in Pakistani politics, the absence of democratic culture within political parties. Decisions are made not through consultation or consensus, but through command and control. The PTI’s repeated failure to manage internal dissent, whether in the National Assembly, provincial setups, or organizational structure, has weakened its institutional integrity and given its rivals ample opportunity to question its democratic credentials.
. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long been PTI’s political stronghold, but infighting of this nature risks eroding public confidence. The people who voted for stability, reform, and good governance are instead witnessing a contest of egos and authority. The province, already struggling with governance gaps, weak institutional coordination, and poor service delivery, cannot afford such distractions. From delayed infrastructure projects to an overstretched administrative machinery, every aspect of governance reflects growing dysfunction. The absence of coherent leadership has left local bodies disoriented, development budgets underutilized, and policy decisions caught in political tug-of-war. For a province grappling with developmental challenges, energy shortages, and security concerns, such political games only delay progress and deepen the crisis of governance that continues to deny citizens the stability and efficiency they were promised.
If PTI leadership fails to restore order and discipline within its ranks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could soon become a case study in how internal disunity can cripple governance. Political maturity, not personal vendetta, is the need of the hour.
Digital Reform in KP
The successful launch of E-Stamping and E-Registration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa marks a defining step toward modernizing governance and improving public service delivery. For years, Pakistan’s administrative systems have struggled under the weight of inefficiency, corruption, and manual procedures that frustrate citizens and slow economic activity. The introduction of digital systems in property registration and stamp duties reflects not just technological progress but a broader transformation in the relationship between the state and its people.
With E-Stamping and E-Registration, citizens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can now handle documentation more efficiently and transparently. The move eliminates the middlemen culture that has long plagued land registration offices, often leading to delays, bribery, and loss of public trust. By digitizing records and payments, the provincial government has opened the door to accountability and ease of doing business ,two essential components of good governance in the 21st century.
The digital initiative also aligns with Pakistan’s national goals of promoting e-governance under the umbrella of the Digital Pakistan Vision. By integrating technology into core administrative functions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa positions itself as a provincial leader in reform. The system’s transparency will not only improve revenue collection but also strengthen citizens’ confidence in government institutions.
However, while the initial success is encouraging, sustainability remains crucial. Digital transformation must be supported by robust cybersecurity frameworks, staff training, and constant monitoring to ensure that the technology serves the public effectively and fairly. The inclusion of rural and remote areas, where internet access and digital literacy remain limited, will also determine the long-term success of this initiative.
Ultimately, this step represents more than a bureaucratic upgrade, it symbolizes a shift toward efficiency, transparency, and citizen empowerment. If implemented with continuity and integrity, E-Stamping and E-Registration could become a model for other provinces, proving that Pakistan’s path to progress lies in digital innovation, not administrative tradition.
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