Need to address transgressions in PoK, Balochistan: Pak human rights body

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in its annual report has highlighted a troubling decline in civic freedoms, deteriorating law and order and marked strain on federalism in the country.

In the State of Human Rights in 2024’ report released on Wednesday, the HRCP has noted the the deteriorating law and order situation due to political repression across the country, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Balochistan.

The report mentions the PoK protestors, who were protesting over high inflation, economic distress triggered by soaring flour prices and electricity tariffs, heavy taxation, electricity shortage, were met with a violent crackdown by authorities, resulting in four deaths—including a police officer—along with mass arrests and allegations of torture.

According to the report, over 2,500 people were killed in terror incidents in 2024, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan accounting for the majority of such attacks. At least 24 deaths were reported due to vigilante mobs.

In first, ISI chief named NSA

Pakistan has appointed spy chief Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik as the new National Security Adviser. According to a notification issued on Tuesday, General Malik was formally given the task of the NSA. It is for the first time that a serving ISI chief was given the task to serve concurrently in the two key positions.