The Impact of 2018 Election on Economic Decision-Making: A Case Study of District Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This study analyzes the socio-economic effects triggered by the general elections held in 2018 on the people of Chitral District, Pakistan. It employs a mixed-methods strategy that integrates the quantitative analysis of questionnaires obtained from 300 participants and qualitative commentary derived from focus group discussions. The study addresses shift that occurred in the patterns of consumption, labor market and investments, and perception of economic opportunities after the elections. Political changes have outspread consequences for economic behavior. There was an increase in the households spending in education, healthcare, and transportation, owing to the great hopes the people had of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Government. Such changes also encouraged women into work to increase economic empowerment and then election also boosted the labor force participation. Nonetheless, the political, social, and economic challenges impacting infrastructure and access to markets continue to impede the progress in economic growth of the area. Political stability strengthens the economic welfare of the communities, societies, and regions. This study among others demonstrates that economic interventions in marginalized regions with good political policies discern positive economic growth. Portions of such policies would include effective policy formulation and successful implementation. Actions include finalizing infrastructure projects, implementing specific employment schemes, enhancing outreach to financial service providers and improving systems for policy monitoring. These measures aim for sustainable development and translate political pledges into real benefits for the people of District Chitral. It also adds to the body of existing knowledge on political and economic process relationships and how such may influence policy advising and development practice within specific contexts, because the region that was targeted by this study enjoys peculiar economic and geographic conditions.