PESHAWAR: A fact-finding mission to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) alarmed by the rapidly diminishing writ of the state and the government’s seeming inability to protect citizens’ right to life,press freedom and liberty, particularly in the merged districts. Comprising HRCP chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt, co-chair Munizae Jahangir, treasurer and veteran journalist Husain Naqi, vice-chair Akbar Khan, academic and HRCP member Dr Saba Gul Khattak and HRCP staff members Shahid Mehmood and Salman Farrukh, the mission held meetings from 24 to 26 September 2025 with a wide range of civil society including the journalists, the legal community, human rights defenders and families displaced by conflict as well as with political party leaders, law enforcement officials and senior members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, including the chief minister.Those present included Peshawar Press Club President M. Riaz, Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) President Kashif ud Din Syed, senior journalists Shamim Shahid, Farzana Ali, Saif ul Islam Saifi, Nisar Muhammad Khan, Nasir Hussain, Bakhtzada, tribal journalists Ibrahim Shinwari, Khyal Mat Shah Afridi, Khadim Khan Afridi, Shah Nawaz Khan, Nabi Jan Orakzai, Rehan Muhammad, Aftab Khan, and others. Principally, local communities and stakeholders have highlighted a worrying link between increasing violence, terrorism,displacement,security operations and the extraction of natural resources under the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Act 2025. In many parts of the merged districts, including Khyber,Waziristan where terrorists appear to be operating unhindered, reportedly extorting and harassing,kidnapping residents, killing those who refuse to comply, and restricting people’s movement beyond the afternoons. Some reports suggest that law enforcement agencies have ceased to operate in these areas. Representatives from the merged tribal districts recalled the target killings of media personnel in different areas since 2005. The mission was especially concerned about the recent killings in Tirah,in which reportedly over 20 civilians, including women and children, were killed, allegedly under aerial bombardment.The mission also documented intimidation and threats being faced by journalists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
