REBUILDING AFTER CONFLICT: HOW EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE SHAPED KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA’S RECOVERY (2008–2022)

Abstract

The study provides a thorough analysis of peace building tactics used by Pakistani political parties Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) through their security protocols and institutional changes and economic development initiatives. During its role as head of government from 2008 to 2013 ANP followed military counterterrorism principles with tribal force reliance and short-term crisis resolution. The immediate stability achieved by this plan did not create lasting governance structures that created sustained security threats. PTI followed a governance-driven peacebuilding approach between 2013 and 2023 by merging FATA with KP along with implementing judicial accountability systems while using intelligence-focused security operations. PTI adopted industrial and digital governance strategies during its rule but encountered financial hurdles while trying to execute these policies. Analysis shows that ANP used security as its main approach but peace was only temporary because of its unsustainability whereas PTI implemented long-term structural governance reforms through its governing strategy.