HRCP Raises Alarm Over 'Diminishing State Writ,' Violence in KP, Demands Inquiry into Tirah Killings
Chehra WebDesk
Peshawar, The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced grave concern over the "rapidly diminishing writ of the state" and the security and human rights situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), particularly in the merged districts.
Following a three-day fact-finding mission (September 24-26, 2025), the HRCP noted the government's "seeming inability to protect citizens’ right to life and liberty." The mission met with a diverse range of stakeholders, including the Chief Minister, law enforcement officials, political party leaders, civil society, journalists, and families displaced by conflict.
A key finding highlighted a "worrying link" between increasing violence, displacement, and security operations, and the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Act 2025 regarding the extraction of natural resources.
Militant Activity and Security Concerns
The report states that militants appear to be operating unhindered in many parts of the merged districts, reportedly "extorting and harassing residents, killing those who refuse to comply, and restricting people’s movement beyond the afternoons." Disturbingly, some reports suggest that law enforcement agencies have ceased to operate in these areas.
The mission expressed "special concern" over the recent killings in Tirah, where over 20 civilians, including women and children, were allegedly killed in an aerial bombardment. The HRCP has demanded a "credible inquiry," urging provincial and federal authorities to stop "shifting blame onto one another," emphasizing that compensation is not a substitute for state accountability.
Legal and Constitutional Issues
The HRCP noted that the controversial Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Ordinance 2019 remains in force, legitimizing internment centers and preventive detention, which the mission states is a "clear violation of Article 10 of the Constitution and Pakistan’s international legal commitments."
Compounding this, the mission documented that decreased judicial and administrative oversight, along with weak regulatory mechanisms, "continue to perpetuate the practice of enforced disappearances," with allegations of thousands of cases reported.
Furthermore, the mission documented the harassment of journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders advocating against enforced disappearances. Of "grave concern" is the allegation that law enforcement and security agencies have been "complicit in forcibly disappearing people who are then traced to internment centres."
The legal community also expressed serious reservations regarding the revival of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, which the HRCP fears risks creating a parallel justice system that "lacks credibility and undermines the rule of law."
Fear of Undoing Constitutional Merger
The mission concluded with the fear that there appears to be a "clear effort to undo the hard-won constitutional merger of 2018." The HRCP warned that such an action would not only reverse social and economic progress but would also prove "disastrous for the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly women and transgender persons."
The HRCP urged the government to respond immediately to these findings and ensure the protection of fundamental human rights in the province. The mission was led by HRCP chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt and included co-chair Munizae Jahangir and other senior members. The press release was signed by Director Farah Zia.
