Pakistan Faces Surge in Violence Amidst Muharram Preparations

Amnesty International has condemned Pakistani authorities for failing to protect civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amidst a surge in suspected quadcopter and drone attacks, Dawn E-Paper reported. The rights organization highlighted multiple incidents over the past year, including a March strike in Mardan that killed 11 and a May attack in North Waziristan that claimed four children’s lives. While the military attributed some incidents to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Amnesty stressed the government’s obligation to investigate and prosecute those responsible for unlawful killings, citing reckless disregard for civilian life.

Adding to the volatile situation, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in Parachinar, Upper Kurram district, killing four and injuring four others. The victims were identified as Nawab Ali, Amir Hussain, Hidayat Hussain, and Manzar Ali. Local elders condemned the act, urging immediate arrests and a high-level investigation, especially given Kurram’s history of tribal clashes and the ongoing peace efforts.

Against this backdrop of escalating violence, Pakistan is intensifying security measures for Muharram. A high-level jirga in Kohat, led by Major-General Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, approved the deployment of 10,000 security personnel across the Kohat division, with Kurram district placed under military control due to past sectarian violence. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government also plans to impose Section 144 in sensitive districts from Muharram 1 to 10, banning weapons display, sectarian activities, and restricting the entry of religious speakers from other provinces. These measures are allegedly aimed at ensuring a peaceful observance of Muharram and promote long-term regional stability amidst heightened tensions.