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KPK
PHC Intervention Raises Questions Over Alleged Extrajudicial Killings
Shamim Shahid
PESHAWAR: Concerns over alleged fake police encounters and extrajudicial killings have once again come under scrutiny after the Peshawar High Court (PHC) issued directives aimed at protecting an accused wanted in multiple criminal cases from any unlawful harm upon his return to Pakistan.
The issue of alleged fake encounters has long remained controversial in Pakistan and other parts of the world. Human rights organisations frequently classify such incidents as extrajudicial killings when law enforcement personnel are accused of taking the law into their own hands instead of allowing due legal process to take its course.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, allegations of fake encounters have surfaced repeatedly in recent months, prompting growing public concern and demands for accountability. Against this backdrop, the mother of a proclaimed offender approached the Peshawar High Court seeking protection for her son.
According to court documents, petitioner Mst Bagh Meena informed the court that her son, Mumtaz Khan alias Mumtazay, who is wanted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in various cases, had been residing in Bahrain. He was reportedly arrested through Interpol on June 16, 2024, and is expected to be transferred to Pakistan following completion of legal formalities.
A division bench comprising Justice Arshad Ali and Justice Inamullah Khan, while hearing the constitutional petition, directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Dr Muhammad Mian Saeed, and other relevant authorities to ensure complete protection of the accused’s life and property.
The court specifically instructed authorities to safeguard Mumtaz Khan from any extrajudicial killing, attempted killing, or unlawful harm. It further directed officials to ensure security during his arrival in Pakistan, detention, investigation, and appearance before the competent courts.
The petitioner argued that allegations of fake encounters and extrajudicial killings in previous cases had created genuine concerns regarding her son’s safety. She requested the court to protect his constitutional and fundamental rights, regardless of the allegations against him.
The PHC ordered the relevant authorities to submit a detailed report and adjourned further proceedings until July 2, 2026.
The court’s intervention comes amid increasing debate over police encounters in the province. Rights activists and relatives of several deceased suspects have questioned official accounts of encounters in which accused persons were reportedly killed while in police custody or shortly after arrest.
Police authorities have maintained that such incidents occurred during armed confrontations involving accomplices attempting to rescue detained suspects. However, family members of several deceased individuals have challenged these explanations and called for independent investigations.
Among the cases that attracted public attention was that of Adam Khan Safi, whose relatives disputed the official version of events surrounding his death. Other incidents involving suspects allegedly killed after being detained in police facilities have also raised questions among legal experts and human rights observers.
While law enforcement agencies argue that they face extraordinary challenges amid rising militancy and criminal activity, critics contend that constitutional guarantees and due process cannot be compromised under any circumstances. They stress that the guilt or innocence of an accused can only be determined by a court of law.
Legal observers view the PHC’s latest order as a reaffirmation of the principle that every individual, irrespective of the allegations against them, is entitled to protection under the Constitution and access to a fair trial.
The broader law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a matter of concern. Alongside persistent security threats and militancy-related incidents, citizens continue to report rising incidents of robbery, snatching, vehicle theft, and other crimes.
Analysts argue that strengthening public confidence in law enforcement institutions requires not only effective policing but also transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to legal procedures. They maintain that allegations of misuse of authority and extrajudicial actions should be independently investigated to ensure that justice is served and public trust is restored.
The PHC’s intervention has once again highlighted the delicate balance between maintaining security and safeguarding fundamental rights — a challenge that remains central to the rule of law in Pakistan.
National
Budget misses chance to empower women economically
Women entrepreneurs seek skills and growth support
PROVINCE REPORT
ISLAMABAD:The founder president of the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), Samina Fazil, said the federal budget for 2026-27 missed an opportunity to strengthen women’s economic participation by underinvesting in skills development, entrepreneurship support, and access to finance.
She said women account for nearly half of Pakistan’s population but continue to face barriers in education, technology, financial services, and markets. Sustainable growth, she added, requires prioritising women as an economic force.
While acknowledging social protection programmes for vulnerable households, she said long-term progress depends on greater investment in education, vocational training, and employment opportunities for women.
The federal government has allocated Rs 58 billion for education compared to Rs 838 billion for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), reflecting a wide gap between social protection spending and education investment.
She said the budget also does not appear to include a dedicated federal skills development programme for women entrepreneurs or women-led businesses, with most initiatives grouped under general youth programmes rather than gender-specific interventions.
“The focus should be on enabling women to become entrepreneurs, business leaders, and job creators rather than relying on short-term relief,” she said.
Fazil called for dedicated financing facilities for women entrepreneurs, expanded vocational and technical training, tax incentives for women-owned SMEs, and stronger digital and e-commerce support.
She said improved business development services and market access mechanisms are needed to help women-led enterprises scale domestically and internationally.
The business leader said greater female participation in the economy could boost incomes, jobs, and growth, adding that women entrepreneurs can contribute significantly to exports and innovation if supported properly.
Naima Ansari, former vice president of FPCCI, said the budget prioritised fiscal consolidation and growth but lacked targeted measures for underrepresented groups, including women entrepreneurs.
She added that Pakistan’s long-term prosperity depends on ensuring women have equal access to economic opportunities and tools for participation.
