{"id":9262,"date":"2024-06-10T10:10:52","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T10:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=9262"},"modified":"2024-06-13T12:20:41","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T12:20:41","slug":"mass-discontent-and-loss-of-life-critical-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-during-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/mass-discontent-and-loss-of-life-critical-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-during-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Mass discontent and loss of life critical in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press release<\/p>\n

Mass discontent and loss of life critical in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2023
\n<\/strong>HRCP releases annual report<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Peshawar, 11 June 2024<\/em>. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan\u2019s (HRCP) annual report on the state of human rights in 2023 details the turbulent developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, starting with the premature dissolution of the provincial assembly. In the absence of any subsequent provincial election, citizens remained unrepresented throughout the year, with not a single piece of legislation enacted. However, an order to suspend local bodies till the holding of provincial elections was fortunately struck down by the Peshawar High Court, allowing elected local representatives to continue provision of services to their electorate. Local elections were then held in August for 72 key positions in 21 districts.<\/p>\n

Law and order in the province became catastrophic as over 160 policemen, more than 70 military personnel, over 60 civilians and more than 170 alleged militants were killed in dozens of targeted militant attacks and security operations. However, in a misguided attempt to address these security threats, around 212,000 Afghan refugees and migrants were forcibly deported from the province following an announcement by the federal caretaker government.<\/p>\n

Mass discontent was also palpable throughout the year as hundreds of teachers, doctors, health workers and sanitation workers protested against delays in payment of salaries and other dues in separate demonstrations across the province. Border closures restricted freedom of movement of thousands, and curbs on freedom of association increased as well with hundreds of PTI leaders and workers arrested in the aftermath of the 9 May protests.<\/p>\n

Public health and environmental crises took a toll on citizens, with at least 11 percent of the population suffering from drug abuse, and around 40 fatalities from rains, flash floods and dust storms occurring in several districts. Persons with disabilities also remained deprived of essential accessibility measures in most buildings despite court orders, and 4.7 million children, 66 percent of which included girls, remained out of school in 2023.<\/p>\n

In welcome news though, Justice Musarrat Hilali became the first female chief justice of the Peshawar High Court in May, and was then elevated to the Supreme Court as the second ever female judge in July. The province’s first ever mental health-specific institution, the Institute of Mental Health Sciences, was also inaugurated in Peshawar, and rules to protect women from domestic violence were finally approved by the provincial cabinet. However, the provincial government and legislature must take swift measures to address citizens\u2019 concerns without further delay to uphold their democratic and fundamental rights.<\/p>\n

Asad Iqbal Butt
\nChairperson<\/p>\n

Access the report here<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>