Amir Haider Khan Hoti criticizes ruling party development narrative, raises accountability questions over long-standing promises and unfinished projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti has strongly questioned the ruling party’s development claims, saying that repeated announcements have not translated into ground realities for the people of the province.
Addressing a public gathering, Hoti referred to recent statements attributed to Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding a development package for Mardan worth Rs50 billion. He argued that such announcements raise serious questions about earlier pledges that remain unfulfilled.
He asked where the promised one crore jobs and 50 lakh housing units had gone, and what became of the plan for 350 dams that were repeatedly highlighted in political campaigns. According to him, these commitments were presented to the public with great expectations but have not materialized in practical form.
Hoti further stated that if Mardan had truly received its due share of development over the past 13 years, major projects such as the Ring Road, a university, and a children’s hospital would not still be incomplete. He said the situation reflects a gap between political promises and administrative delivery.
Taking a sharper political tone, the former chief minister also commented on the internal dynamics of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging that its lawmakers’ political focus remains centered around the release of party founder Imran Khan. He suggested that the party’s political influence could diminish if that central figure were no longer part of the political landscape.
The remarks come amid ongoing political debate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over development priorities, governance performance, and the implementation of large-scale public welfare projects. Opposition leaders continue to question whether flagship announcements made over the years have been backed by sustainable planning and execution.
Political observers note that Mardan and surrounding districts have long been central to development discussions in the province, with repeated announcements often facing criticism over delayed implementation.
As political tensions continue, both ruling and opposition parties are expected to intensify their narratives around governance performance and accountability in the coming months.
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