PHC issues notices over poor law, order in KP

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday issued notices to the federal and provincial governments, federal and provincial interior secretaries, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and other relevant parties in response to a petition regarding the worsening security situation in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The case was heard by a two-member bench, comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Sajjad Ahmad Mahsud, informed the court about the alarming security conditions in the region. He highlighted that the southern districts were witnessing frequent terrorist attacks on innocent civilians, leading to loss of life and a general sense of insecurity among the people.

The petitioner said that residents of the southern belt were living in constant fear, with daily life becoming increasingly difficult.

According to Mahsud, it had become nearly impossible for people to leave their homes after sunset due to poor law and order. The security forces, including the police, were also under constant attack, and law enforcement in the region was struggling to maintain order, he said.

Justice Syed Arshad Ali questioned the petitioner’s lawyer about which parties should be held accountable in this situation. The lawyer responded that the federal and provincial governments, along with other concerned authorities, should provide a detailed response to the court regarding the issue.

Following the arguments, the bench issued notices to the relevant authorities, including the federal and provincial governments, the interior secretaries, the IGP, and other stakeholders, seeking their responses.