HRCP seeks judicial probe into alleged 'extrajudicial' killings by Punjab CCD

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for the formation of a high-level judicial commission to investigate deaths resulting from operations conducted by Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD), alleging a pattern of staged police encounters and extrajudicial killings.

In a fact-finding report issued from Lahore, the commission claimed the CCD had adopted encounter killings “as a matter of policy,” undermining constitutional safeguards and the rule of law in the province.

Citing press reports, HRCP said at least 670 CCD encounters were recorded during the first eight months of 2025, in which 924 suspects were killed. In comparison, only two police officials reportedly lost their lives during the same period.

The “stark disparity,” along with an average of more than two fatal encounters per day, suggested a systematic pattern rather than isolated incidents, the report stated.

Alleged Violations of Law and Due Process

The HRCP maintained that its findings pointed to violations of both domestic law and Pakistan’s international human rights obligations. Referring to the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, the report noted that every custodial death must be investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the supervision of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR).

However, it said there was no clear evidence of such compliance in the cases reviewed. In one instance, a court had directed the FIA to conduct an inquiry.

The report further observed that mandatory magisterial proceedings under Sections 174 to 176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure appeared not to have been carried out. It also stated that the Punjab government, CCD and police authorities did not respond to requests for meetings, which it described as a lack of transparency.

The fact-finding team highlighted what it termed an “atmosphere of fear” among affected families. One family alleged that police pressured them to conduct an immediate burial and warned of consequences if the matter was pursued legally. Such actions, the report said, would constitute a criminal offence and obstruct justice.

Call for Oversight and Accountability

HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt said the CCD’s conduct was inconsistent with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which require that lethal force be used only when strictly unavoidable and proportionate, with accountability ensured for violations.

The commission recommended an immediate halt to encounter-based operations, mandatory FIA investigations under NCHR supervision, the establishment of an independent civilian police oversight commission, and compensation for the families of those killed.

It stressed that sustainable law and order could not be achieved through extrajudicial measures and called for transparent judicial investigations to uphold the rule of law.