Whenever chaos is instigated, it often starts with a false sense of deprivation being cultivated among the people. The PTM has been manipulating Pashtuns with false statistics, trying to make them believe they are being short-changed in terms of resources.
As part of their propaganda, they have made baseless claims about oil extraction in Karak and Waziristan. Additionally, they assert that from the Betani oil field, between 1,000 and 10,000 barrels of oil are extracted daily. This claim is far from the truth, as official records show otherwise. KP’s oil reserves are diminishing, and the province is projected to rely on federally imported oil in the near future.
Similarly, PTM has spread false claims about electricity production in KP. They argue that Tarbela Dam alone generates 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity, supposedly enough to power 250 large factories. They also claim that rivers in Malakand generate 30 megawatts of electricity annually at a low cost of one to two rupees per unit. In reality, KP produces 19,987 megawatts of electricity, which accounts for 14.34% of Pakistan’s total production.
However, KP’s annual electricity consumption is only 2%, leaving an excess of 4.6%. Despite this, due to provincial mismanagement and inefficiencies, KP faced losses amounting to Rs. 188 billion in 2023-24, largely due to electricity theft, the highest loss across all provinces.
Furthermore, PTM has presented inflated figures regarding mineral resources in KP. While the province does produce 78% of Pakistan’s marble and has substantial mineral wealth, the revenue generated from these resources is not fully benefiting the local people.
The PTM also falsely claims that KP is self-sufficient in other resources such as wheat and rice. The truth is, KP imports three million tons of wheat annually and produces only 39% of the country’s total rice. The province also relies heavily on other regions for sugar, sugarcane, and other essential resources.
The PTM’s distorted narratives are intended to create unrest, but the truth is clear: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributes significantly to the nation’s economy, and the sacrifices made by its people, alongside the Pakistan Army, have restored peace in the region.
The province has successfully fought the scourge of terrorism, and while challenges remain, PTM’s baseless accusations are merely an attempt to mislead the public. The people of KP must unite, reject these false claims, and continue working towards a prosperous future. The day is not far when those responsible for this deception will be held accountable.
