A recent report has raised alarm over the persistent police encounter killings in Pakistan’s Punjab province, pointing to a lack of transparency, investigation, and accountability. The Crime Control Department (CCD) of Punjab Police, established through an executive order and empowered by the Police Order (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, has been under scrutiny for its actions. This specialized police unit, tasked with enforcing a ‘zero crime policy,’ has faced criticism for its approach resembling elite policing units in other countries known for breaching human rights.
The report revealed that over 400 suspected criminals were killed in more than 800 CCD encounters in the first half of 2025. Shockingly, data from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan indicated that over 670 individuals lost their lives in police encounters in Punjab, surpassing other provinces. Concerns were further highlighted by a petition filed in the Lahore High Court, disclosing that 1,100 citizens had been killed in such encounters, with allegations of these incidents being used as a substitute for the criminal justice system.
Despite legal requirements for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate deaths and torture in police custody, no probes into the CCD’s encounter killings have been reported as of late last year. The department has denied accusations of staging fake encounters, emphasizing the dangerous nature of dealing with armed criminals. However, critics argue that the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding these encounters raises serious questions about the state’s involvement and the need for reforms in law enforcement practices.
