Domestic disputes, business rivalries behind 658 murders in 2024; violence continues into 2025
PESHAWAR: A sharp increase in the issuance of gun licenses and the widespread availability of firearms are being linked to a surge in violence across Peshawar, where security concerns are growing amid a wave of deadly incidents.
According to official sources, over 45,000 arms licenses were issued in Peshawar in the past year alone. In contrast, police have requested the cancellation of 1,980 existing licenses, citing misuse and public safety concerns.
Police data paints a grim picture: in 2024, at least 658 people were murdered in the city, with domestic disputes and business rivalries listed as the most frequent motives. The trend has continued into the new year. In just the first four months of 2025, 140 people have been killed, many over minor disagreements—highlighting a deteriorating security environment.
Police officials further disclosed that nearly every second household in Peshawar possesses at least one firearm, contributing to the rapid escalation of everyday disputes into fatal confrontations.
In one recent case, a law student in University Town fatally shot his classmate after a verbal argument turned violent. Police said Saif Ali Khan, a third-semester student, opened fire on his friend Jawad Khan, resulting in the latter’s death.
In a separate incident, political tensions boiled over when a PML-N Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) allegedly led an attack on the residence of a Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) MNA in Peshawar. The confrontation has added to the already tense political climate in the region.
Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, police arrested nine individuals for aerial firing at a wedding ceremony. According to officials, the suspects opened fire on police officers who attempted to stop the illegal celebration.
Authorities are now facing increased pressure to address the growing gun culture and restore public confidence in law enforcement amid escalating violence and lawlessness.
