Over the past four decades, the city of Peshawar has been unable to secure the position of Chief Minister in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). It’s a surprising statistic that highlights the lack of representation for the city’s politicians in the highest positions of power.
The last time a politician from Peshawar held the position of Chief Minister was almost 40 years ago. Arbab Jahangir Khan Khalil served from 1985 to 1988, and since then, the city has been unable to produce a leader who could claim this prestigious role.
Interestingly, Peshawar has also been absent from the federal cabinet for the past decade. This lack of representation at both the provincial and federal levels raises questions about the city’s political influence and the reasons behind this drought of leadership.
As the upcoming February 8 polls approach, a few experienced politicians from Peshawar are contesting for KP Assembly seats. This could be an opportunity for the city to break the 40-year dry spell and finally have a representative in the Chief Minister’s office.
When we look at the historical data, it becomes apparent that the Mardan division has been the primary producer of Chief Ministers in KP. The city of Mardan has consistently been able to secure this position, while Peshawar has struggled to do the same.
One exception to this trend is Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao from Charsadda. He is the only politician in the last four decades to have held the position of Chief Minister twice in the province. While Charsadda is not Peshawar, it is still a neighboring city and serves as a reminder that leadership positions are not entirely out of reach for politicians from the region.
So, why has Peshawar been unable to produce a Chief Minister in such a long time? There could be several factors at play. It could be a matter of political dynamics and power struggles within the province. Other regions may have been more successful in cultivating strong political leaders and securing their positions.
Another possibility is that Peshawar’s politicians have not been able to effectively build alliances and coalitions necessary to gain the support needed for the Chief Minister’s seat. Politics is a game of numbers; without the right backing, it can be challenging to secure top positions.
Whatever the reasons may be, the lack of a Peshawar-based Chief Minister for 40 years is a significant anomaly. It raises questions about the city’s political landscape and the opportunities available for its politicians.
As the February 8 polls approach, it will be interesting to see if any of the experienced politicians from Peshawar can break the dry spell and secure a seat in the KP Assembly. Perhaps this could begin a new era for the city, where its leaders can finally claim the Chief Minister position and bring a fresh perspective to the province’s governance.
Only time will tell if Peshawar’s 40-year drought will end, but one thing is for sure – the city’s politicians are determined to make their mark and bring about positive change for the people they represent.