Peshawar: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has unveiled its 2024 annual report, spotlighting a marked decline in the rule of law within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid a broader erosion of democratic standards nationwide. The report underscores escalating casualties due to militancy and sectarian violence, alongside significant concerns regarding political and social stability.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the report identifies a troubling rise in civilian and security personnel casualties linked to militant activities. The district of Kurram was particularly affected, with sectarian violence and tribal conflicts resulting in approximately 250 deaths. These incidents led to road closures and a humanitarian crisis due to disrupted supplies.
The HRCP report expresses alarm over the weakening of democratic governance and civic freedoms, noting ongoing challenges to the region’s law and order. Despite these issues, the report acknowledges a positive development: increased electoral participation by women in 2024, signaling a step toward greater political inclusion.
Documentation from provincial police indicates that 77 individuals were charged with blasphemy, with 49 arrests made, including that of a woman. A tourist’s lynching in Swat, following a blasphemy accusation, highlights a concerning rise in vigilantism.
The state’s prohibition of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement prior to a national jirga further constricted civic space. Additionally, the report records 105 new cases of enforced disappearances, spurring judicial interventions. Some progress was noted in freedom of movement, with the reopening of the Torkham border; however, mobility restrictions and local protests remain issues.
The legislative landscape showed limited activity, with only 30 bills introduced and 21 passed. The judiciary continues to struggle under pressure, with over 23,000 cases pending at the Peshawar High Court and a considerable backlog involving contempt cases against political and police figures.
Gender-based violence persists, with numerous incidents of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and honour killings reported. Violence against children is also on the rise, highlighting deficiencies in child protection. The province remains a critical route for the deportation of Afghan nationals under the federal government’s repatriation plan.
Labour rights violations are ongoing, with 26 miners losing their lives due to unsafe working conditions and militant attacks, revealing the persistent dangers faced by workers. At least 30 labourers were kidnapped by militants in separate incidents, and wage issues continue despite pledges to increase the minimum wage.
Environmental challenges are exacerbating the region’s difficulties. Floods and torrential rains claimed over 100 lives, and Peshawar ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, according to the HRCP report.