MOHAMAND: Residents of Mohmand district, located in the merged tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have voiced deep concern over the region’s ongoing economic stagnation and rising unemployment, declaring it the most “job-dry” district in the province.
Locals say that despite repeated promises by governments and policymakers, the area remains severely neglected when it comes to job creation and development opportunities. In conversations with community leaders, youth representatives, and local elders, a common concern expressed with Pakhtun Digital is that of a lack of both government jobs and private sector investment. Many young people, even those with university degrees, are struggling to find meaningful employment, leading to frustration, mental stress, and in some cases, migration to other cities in search of work.
According to residents, one of the biggest reasons behind job scarcity is the absence of industrial zones or major infrastructure projects in the region. “We have been left behind in every sense,” says Jamil Mohmand, a local of the area. “There are no factories, no technical institutes, and no employment programs targeting youth. Our educated generation is wasting away.”
Locals also claim that recruitment in government departments remains minimal and, at times, politically influenced. Several candidates have reported delays in job tests, a lack of merit-based selection, and an overall indifference from authorities regarding local hiring.
Mohmand’s youth, in particular, express growing hopelessness. “We are told to get an education and compete, but how can we compete when there are no platforms?” asks Murad, a postgraduate student. She adds that in the absence of job opportunities, many young people are turning to unskilled labour or leaving the region entirely.
Community elders and civil society activists are calling on the federal and provincial governments to take urgent steps to address the district’s employment crisis. They demand the establishment of technical and vocational training centres, industrial schemes, and job quotas for locals in ongoing public sector projects.
They also suggest the need for a district-specific employment strategy under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program or similar initiatives to uplift Mohmand’s job market.
Despite being rich in cultural heritage and strategically located near key economic corridors, Mohmand continues to be left out of the development narrative. Without concrete efforts from both government and private stakeholders, locals fear that unemployment and underdevelopment will continue to push the district further into socio-economic isolation.
Read also: 50% of Pakistanis below Poverty Line, economy on brink of collapse: Senator Humayun blasts govt
