By: Ghulam Hussain Ghazi
Once again, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands at a historic juncture where a new model of governance is emerging, based on justice, merit, rule of law and devoted public service. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led KP government is making sincere efforts to establish the province on the principles of the State of Madinah, which is also the vision of party leader Imran Khan. Central to this vision is the idea of one law for both the weak and the powerful, standing with the oppressed and ensuring swift justice.
Recently a tragic incident occurred at Chalyar Madrassah in Khwazakhela, Swat, where a young student, Farhan Ayaz, was brutally tortured and martyred. This heartbreaking event cast a pall of sorrow across the province. Such incidents are not merely personal or regional tragedies but become a measure of societal and governmental sensitivity. It is encouraging that the KP government responded promptly, seriously and with dignity. The Madrassa was immediately sealed, the culprits were arrested and the process of bringing them to justice was initiated. This marks a clear difference between an elected and an unelected government. While such incidents occur in Punjab, Sindh and other provinces too, they are often met with short-lived uproar, followed by silence from those in power, almost as if they are indifferent. Only those governments that are accountable to the people truly feel the gravity of such incidents and seek lasting solutions. By the grace of Allah, the KP government under Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur is not only resolving such issues but earning the public’s prayers.
Just previous day, in accordance with the Chief Minister’s directives, a high-level government delegation led by Provincial Minister Fazal Hakim Khan Yousafzai visited the martyr’s hometown Pia Madyan in Swat. The delegation met with the father and family members of the martyred student, offered condolences and prayed for the departed soul. The delegation included Chairman DDAC Swat Akhtar Khan Advocate, MNA Dr Amjad Ali, Bahrain Tehsil Chairman Mian Shahid Ali, Assistant Commissioner and notable religious scholars. This was a practical demonstration of solidarity, treating the incident not just as an administrative issue but a societal concern.
Fazal Hakim Khan assured the grieving family of full justice and issued a clear message: those involved in the incident will face the harshest legal consequences, setting a precedent to prevent such mishaps in the future. He also emphasized that elements trying to defame Islam through such heinous acts will never succeed in their malicious aims.
This very narrative is central to the concept of the State of Madinah, where no power can obstruct justice. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s practical vision reinforces this. He personally spoke to the father of the martyred student via phone, expressed his condolence and assured full support from the government along with the promise of justice. His statement was unequivocal. “We promise one law for both the weak and the powerful. We stand with the oppressed, and no criminal will be spared, no matter how influential.” This is the continuation of Imran Khan’s vision and the style of governance the people of this province have long desired.
Fazal Hakim Khan Yousafzai is not just a political figure elected from Swat; he has emerged as a guarantor of development, stability and peace in the region. His efforts in boosting tourism, infrastructure, education and health sectors have revitalized Swat’s identity. Now, as he vocally addresses issues of injustice, public trust in him has grown even stronger.
On the other hand, the Chief Minister’s recent All Parties Conference (APC) was also part of this inclusive vision for peace, law and order in the region, where representatives of all political parties were brought to the table to discuss the collective well-being of the province. Although a few parties announced a boycott of the APC, this was, in fact, a reflection of their own guilt. These were the very political entities that played a role in the regime change conspiracy, toppling a democratically elected government and replacing it with an imported setup. If these parties were genuinely committed to democracy, they should have advised the conspirators to let the then-government complete its term, allowing the next government to be chosen based on its performance. But in the lust for a “pound of flesh,” they killed the entire cow. These so-called democrats orchestrated a shameless display of horse-trading in Islamabad’s Punjab and Sindh Houses, giving democracy a disgraceful burial.
Nevertheless, the APC proved to be more dignified and successful, reflecting democratic maturity. It also showed that the current government is willing to work with all stakeholders for the peace, progress and reforms of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
kP government is becoming a symbol not of slogans but of tangible actions. Under Ali Amin Gandapur’s dynamic leadership, a new political culture is taking root in the province, one where justice is swift and affordable and the law is equal for all. Governance is increasingly aligning with public aspirations. If this spirit continues, the day is not far when Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will become a model province and an example for the rest of Pakistan.
One of the most notable reforms has been the timeline of six months set for the resolution of civil cases. This step alone is revolutionary, as civil cases in Pakistan have historically dragged on for years, eroding public confidence in the justice system. To support this reform, the KP government has provided additional resources and facilities to courts, something not seen in other provinces. These include improved court infrastructure, additional judicial staff and digital case tracking systems to ensure accountability and transparency.
Another foundational reform was the transformation of the police force. The KP Police is now seen as a professional, de-politicized institution that serves citizens rather than political elites. Similarly, governance in the province now encourages public accountability, ministers and bureaucrats frequently hold Khuli Kutcheries and Jirgas, directly engaging with citizens to solve their issues. The budget prioritizes health, education and public welfare rather than elite privileges and technological tools like e-tendering, online complaint systems and transparency dashboards have made corruption more difficult and governance more efficient.
The KP government’s moral clarity on extremism is equally commendable. Instead of giving in to pressures or turning a blind eye, it has taken a firm stance that no one, regardless of religious garb, will be allowed to harm others or tarnish the image of Islam. This stance resonates strongly with the State of Madinah’s principles, where justice and compassion were balanced with accountability.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s integration of the newly merged tribal areas was handled with extraordinary care, ensuring administrative, legal and economic inclusion of these historically neglected regions without exploiting them politically. Whether it’s responding to natural disasters, criminal incidents or development needs, the current government has visibly shown up for its people, physically, financially and morally.
This emerging model of people-centric governance, rooted in accountability, justice and public participation, is the practical manifestation of the dream of a just Islamic society. The KP government’s sincerity in this journey makes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa not just a province, but a beacon of what Pakistan can become.
