The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has issued a damning report exposing the complete collapse of governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, highlighting alarming levels of violence and systematic human rights abuses that have left the population vulnerable and desperate.
Complete Governance Breakdown in KP
In a comprehensive assessment released recently, HRCP revealed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is experiencing a total failure of governance across multiple sectors. The provincial government has essentially abandoned its fundamental responsibilities toward the people, creating a dangerous vacuum that armed groups and criminal elements have quickly filled.
The commission documented that security conditions have deteriorated dramatically throughout the region, with violence becoming increasingly normalized. Citizens face constant threats from multiple armed factions operating with impunity, while state protection remains conspicuously absent.
Alarming Spike in Violence and Rights Violations
The HRCP report details disturbing patterns of human rights abuses affecting vulnerable groups across the province. Women, children, and religious minorities bear the brunt of this violence, with documented cases ranging from targeted killings to systematic intimidation campaigns.
According to the commission's findings, law enforcement agencies have either withdrawn from many areas or operate with severe limitations, leaving communities to fend for themselves. This security vacuum has enabled non-state actors to establish parallel systems of justice and governance, further undermining state authority.
The situation has become particularly dire in districts bordering Afghanistan, where cross-border militant movement has increased significantly. Local populations report being caught between militant groups and security forces, with civilian casualties becoming increasingly common.
Systemic Failures and Institutional Collapse
Beyond the security crisis, HRCP highlighted the complete breakdown of essential services and administrative functions. The provincial government has failed to maintain even basic infrastructure, with healthcare, education, and social services suffering catastrophic declines.
Economic opportunities have evaporated as businesses flee the unstable environment, exacerbating poverty and unemployment. The commission noted that the government's inability to provide economic stability has pushed more young people toward armed groups out of desperation.
The judicial system has also collapsed in many areas, with courts either non-functional or too intimidated to handle cases involving powerful armed groups. This has created a culture of impunity where human rights violators operate without fear of legal consequences.
Urgent Calls for Action and International Attention
HRCP has issued urgent recommendations for both provincial and federal authorities to address the escalating crisis. The commission demands immediate restoration of constitutional governance, protection of civilian populations, and accountability for human rights violations.
The report calls for international human rights organizations to monitor the situation closely and pressure Pakistani authorities to fulfill their obligations toward the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Without immediate intervention, the commission warns, the province risks descending into complete lawlessness.
HRCP emphasized that the current situation represents not just a security challenge but a fundamental failure of the state's social contract with its citizens. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been effectively abandoned by those sworn to protect them, creating a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention from both national and international stakeholders.
