The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed worries about the security and law enforcement conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 2025. The region has faced significant instability with numerous militant attacks. According to a report by the HRCP, there were 82 militant attacks across Pakistan in July 2025, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounting for a large portion of them.
Additionally, in September 2025, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 45 militant attacks, resulting in the deaths of 54 individuals and injuries to 49 others. The merged districts of the province were particularly affected, with 20 attacks claiming 21 lives, including security personnel, militants, and civilians. Mian Iftikhar Hussain, President of the Awami National Party in the region, emphasized the severity of the security situation, mentioning the presence of various militant groups, including Daesh.
The HRCP report also highlighted statements from the provincial president of the Qaumi Watan Party, Sikandar Sherpao, who noted around 550 violent incidents since January 2025, mainly concentrated in the merged districts. Sherpao pointed out the emergence of copycat groups and criminal networks alongside militant organizations, complicating law enforcement challenges. The situation in Waziristan and Bajaur was described as critical, with the influence of Daesh expanding rapidly.
The HRCP mission underscored ongoing concerns regarding enforced disappearances, noting that individuals accused of anti-state activities often do not receive due process. The mission raised issues of political victimization affecting movements like the PTM and progressive parties such as the ANP, which could undermine democratic processes. Furthermore, the HRCP expressed alarm over reports of censorship, intimidation, and targeted attacks on journalists covering enforced disappearances and militant activities in the province.
