MAZAJ NEWS: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for an urgent high-level judicial inquiry into deaths linked to operations by Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD), alleging a “deliberate policy of staged police encounters” resulting in extrajudicial killings.
The CCD was established last year by the Punjab government to combat organised crime. However, civil society groups have raised concerns over the rising number of encounter-related deaths.
Citing press reports, HRCP said at least 670 CCD-led encounters were conducted across Punjab over eight months in 2025, resulting in 924 suspects killed, while only two police officials lost their lives during the same period. The commission described the casualty disparity — averaging more than two fatal encounters per day — as indicative of an “institutionalised practice” rather than isolated incidents.
The report alleges systematic violations of domestic and international human rights laws. It noted that under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act 2022, every custodial death must be investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the supervision of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). HRCP said there was little evidence these procedures were consistently followed.
The commission also found that mandatory magisterial inquiries under Sections 174–176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were not conducted in several reviewed cases.
HRCP further criticised the Punjab government and police officials for not responding to its requests for meetings, terming the silence as institutional reluctance to address serious allegations. It also documented what it described as a “climate of fear” among affected families, including claims of pressure to bury victims quickly and refrain from legal action.
Referring to international standards, HRCP said CCD operations appeared inconsistent with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, which require lethal force to be necessary, proportionate and subject to accountability.
The commission recommended an immediate province-wide moratorium on encounter operations, independent investigations of all encounter deaths by the FIA under NCHR oversight, and the formation of a civilian police oversight commission. It also called for mandatory compensation for affected families.
Previously, in October, HRCP had warned of a sharp surge in police encounters across Punjab. Meanwhile, Punjab police submitted a report to the Lahore High Court in January, claiming the CCD’s establishment significantly reduced serious crime and rejecting allegations of staged encounters.