Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plans faceless anti-terror courts: Report

Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province intends to establish faceless anti-terrorism courts to safeguard witnesses, prosecutors, and judges involved in such cases, according to a Dawn report. The administration also plans to allocate 70 billion Pakistani rupees annually to bolster the police and Counter-Terrorism Department's capabilities.

These measures follow the federal government's imposition of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing the provincial government of failing to combat terrorism. The chief minister and provincial cabinet were removed from office, with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi assuming executive authority. Both houses of Parliament approved the emergency on October 14 and the following day.

Home Secretary Amjad Ali Khan revealed that a proposal for faceless anti-terrorism courts would be submitted, aiming to protect witnesses, prosecutors, and judges. The administration plans to invest 59.8 billion Pakistani rupees in the police and 10.3 billion in the Counter-Terrorism Department for infrastructure, equipment, and improving police stations and checkpoints.

Kundi emphasized restoring peace and strengthening the police force as priorities, calling for greater political involvement in the fight against terrorism.