A mother and her daughter were buried under debris from a landslide in Nihag Darra Seeri. Sajjad Ali’s wife, Masmat Muniba, aged 30, had gone to a nearby forest with her 5-year-old daughter, Umayya, when the landslide occurred, tragically claiming their lives.
Local residents attempted immediate rescue efforts after a large stone fell on them, but the weight of the stone was too great, and both mother and daughter died on the spot. The bodies were later recovered and taken back to their homes. This incident at the Seeri Banda location is a heartbreaking tragedy for the community.
Read also: HRCP flags rising violence, judicial burden, and governance failures in KP
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) released its annual report for 2024 on Monday, revealing a troubling state of law and order, human rights, and democratic governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The report, presented by HRCP Vice Chairperson Akbar Khan at a press conference in Peshawar Press Club, highlights a surge in militant violence, gender-based crimes, and administrative neglect across the province.
According to the report, there was a significant increase in gender-based violence in 2024, with women and children frequently targeted in incidents of domestic abuse, honour killings, and sexual violence. The number of child abuse cases also rose, indicating serious shortcomings in child protection systems.
Militancy and armed conflict continued to claim lives across KP. In Kurram district alone, over 250 people died due to sectarian violence and tribal clashes, while blocked roads and supply routes contributed to an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Attacks by militant groups also resulted in the deaths of civilians, law enforcement personnel, and armed forces members.
Prominent political figures, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Akhunzada Chattan, and Maulana Sherani, were targeted in terrorist attacks, highlighting the deteriorating security situation. Notably, one such attack resulted in the death of Maulana Sherani.
The report also addressed the dangerous conditions faced by mine workers, with at least 26 workers losing their lives due to unsafe working conditions and militant attacks. Over 30 workers were abducted in separate incidents throughout the year. Despite repeated government promises to improve wages and safety standards, labour rights violations persisted across the province.
Furthermore, the judicial backlog and pressure on the courts remain concerning, with the Peshawar High Court having over 23,000 pending cases and a total exceeding 38,000 in the province. Many of these cases involve contempt proceedings against high-profile political and police figures.
Legislation has progressed slowly, with only 30 bills introduced and 21 passed. Local governments and elected councillors have been sidelined, as the HRCP noted a continued denial of development funds in defiance of court orders.
