Extortion cases in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa surge nearly 200% since 2021

Extortion in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has surged nearly 200% since 2021, fueled by terror financing and the use of untraceable SIM cards, forcing traders to either pay up, flee, or risk their lives.

"I had no idea where to go or what to do," recalls Peshawar-based trader Amjad*, describing the time he started receiving extortion calls from unknown individuals using Afghan phone numbers.

Speaking to Nukta, Amjad said he couldn’t share his ordeal with anyone as the callers had threatened him with dire consequences. "It was a time of constant anxiety—despite taking sleeping pills, I couldn’t sleep," he said.

Amjad received three extortion calls before a friend advised him to change his family’s phone numbers and relocate to Punjab. "Now, I use a phone that blocks calls from any number not saved in my contacts," he added.

Ghulam Qadir, another trader in Peshawar, also received threatening letters and calls demanding PKR 10 million in extortion. The intimidation took a grim turn when a coffin was delivered to his home as a warning.

Qadir initially lodged a case against the perpetrators but later opted not to pursue legal action for 'undisclosed reasons.'

Three choices

Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, a trade leader, said extortion has left traders deeply troubled, as they have only three choices: silently paying the extortion money, risking their lives, or relocating to Punjab or Sindh.

“There is no use in reporting cases to the police,” he added. “In 2016, Baba-e-Tajir (Father of Traders) Haji Haleem Khan was killed in Qissa Khwani Bazaar [in Peshawar] for refusing to pay extortion, yet no action has been taken to this day."

Data obtained from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) through a Right to Information (RTI) request reveals a concerning upward trend in extortion cases across the province since 2021. A total of 422 extortion cases have been registered during this period.

The number of cases has shown a consistent rise, starting with 44 cases in 2021, increasing to 73 in 2022, and reaching 129 in both 2023 and 2024. In just the first two months of 2025, an additional 47 cases were reported.

The data highlights a sharp escalation, with cases rising by 65% in 2022, followed by a 76% increase in 2023 and 2024. The trend continued into 2025, with a 45% rise in cases compared to previous years.

Overall, extortion cases have surged by 193% over the past four years, underscoring a growing challenge for law enforcement in the region.

Terror financing

Akhtar Ali Shah, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) of KP, believes the actual number of extortion cases is likely far higher than those officially registered. "Many victims prefer to stay silent, often paying off extortionists rather than reporting to law enforcement authorities as they fear dire consequences," he explained.

Shah underscored a deep-rooted connection between terrorism and extortion, stating that extortion cases rise with the increase in terrorism.

"Terrorist organizations require substantial financial resources to sustain their operations, including the procurement of weapons, food, transportation, and other logistical needs. To meet these demands, they often resort to extortion as a primary source of funding," Shah added.

Only 2% conviction rate

Official data shows that police have arrested 433 individuals in extortion cases since 2021, with the highest number of arrests recorded in 2023 at 165, followed by 128 in 2024. However, the conviction rate remains alarmingly low, with only nine accused (2%) being convicted over the past four years.

The conviction rate stood at 5.2% in 2022 and 3.1% in 2024, while it dropped to zero percent in 2021 and 2023, as no accused were convicted during those years.

Shabbir Hussain Gigyani, a senior lawyer, explained to Nukta that the low conviction rate is primarily due to the difficulty in apprehending the actual culprits.

"Extortion demands are often made through letters or mobile calls, with many calls originating from Afghan phone numbers. In cases where Pakistani numbers are used, the suspects typically employ fraudulent SIM cards or use stolen or lost SIMs to evade detection," he noted.

Gigyani believes inadequate police investigations contribute to the low conviction rate, which in turn has led to a rise in extortion cases.

Shah also believes that the conviction rate remains low due to weak prosecution and a lack of evidence and witnesses.

The Afghan connection

Shaukat Abbas, Additional Inspector General (AIG) of CTD, in an interview with Nukta, revealed that extortion cases were previously underreported but have now seen a significant rise in registrations, leading to an apparent increase in cases.

"CTD has established a special extortion cell that not only assists police in registering FIRs but also ensures easier access for victims," Abbas stated.

The AIG further explained that Afghan mobile numbers are frequently used in such cases. CTD has raised the issue with the provincial government, which subsequently approached the federal government to address the matter with Afghanistan. However, no positive response has been received so far.

"Previously, CTD had only one legal officer, which hindered court proceedings and resulted in a low conviction rate. But now, with the appointment of 18 prosecutors, including a director of law and three senior law officers, investigations will be strengthened," Abbas added.

—Name changed to maintain privacy.