RAWALAKOT — The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Amnesty International have demanded an immediate, independent investigation into the recent violence in Rawalakot, citing concerns over excessive force and the detention of peaceful protesters.
The unrest, which erupted earlier this week following clashes between demonstrators and security forces, has left the region on edge. Local accounts suggest that what began as a protest over economic grievances quickly spiraled after authorities moved to disperse crowds using tear gas and batons.
Both rights groups pointed to a pattern of state overreach. The HRCP issued a statement late Thursday calling the government’s response “disproportionate,” arguing that the use of force against civilians violates fundamental constitutional rights. Amnesty International echoed this, urging authorities to release those detained solely for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
The local administration, however, maintains that the measures were necessary to prevent property damage and maintain public order. Officials claim that “miscreants” infiltrated the protests, forcing the police to intervene.
Critics are skeptical of this narrative. Legal experts and activists on the ground argue that the lack of transparent reporting from the district administration makes independent oversight essential. They point to the frequent internet shutdowns and restricted media access in the area as a deliberate attempt to obscure the scale of the crackdown.
The situation remains volatile. While businesses in Rawalakot have begun to reopen, the heavy presence of security personnel serves as a constant reminder of the underlying tensions.
For the families of the detained, the wait for information is becoming unbearable. Until an independent commission is formed to audit the actions of both the protesters and the security forces, the cycle of distrust between the public and the state in this region will only deepen.
