AWAMI NATIONAL PARTY’S GOVERNMENT IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (2008-2013): HURDLES, STRENGTHS, AND WEAKNESSES

Abstract

Pakistan is a federation having a center and four units (provinces). One of its four units is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Having a heterogeneous and pluralistic society, Pakistan has developed a multi- political party system. Therefore, different political parties contest general elections at provincial and national level with their own manifestoes. Since inception, right-wing politics has been dominated in the political structure of Pakistan. With the passage of time, some of the left-wing political parties have also strengthened their footsteps in the country. Currently, one of the major left-wing political parties is Awami National Party (ANP) with socialist ideology. It originated in KP and its socialist ideology has been floated in some parts of Balochistan as well as some other parts of the country in chunks. The basic aim of ANP is to raise the voice for lower strata of the society. From 1986 till 2018, it contested different general elections and secured multiple seats at provincial and national level. Though, in the general elections of 2008, it got a high number of seats by winning 48 seats out of total 124 seats in provincial assembly of KP. However, lacking simple majority, it was unable to form a government in KP independently. Resultantly, it formed coalition government with the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) in KP. During the period of its five year of government (2008-2013), it had made various legislations for the well-being of the people of KP. However, it faced different obstacles in the way of its progress due to its socialist and secular ideology. This research explores that to what extent ANP was successful in implementing its policies and what were the hurdles that hindered its way in implementing its policies during its ruling tenure in KP? Keywords: Government, Rightists, Leftists, Party Politics, General Elections, Manifesto.