PTI Lawmaker Urges Punjab Assembly Debate on Crime Control Department

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Waqas Mahmood Maan has called for a formal debate in the Punjab Assembly regarding the functioning and accountability of the Crime Control Department (CCD). The request was made through an open letter addressed to Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan.

In his letter, Waqas Mahmood referenced a recent report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), dated February 17, 2026. He highlighted concerns raised in the report about the CCD's operations. According to the lawmaker, the CCD had "usurped the role of the judiciary," which he argued disrupted the constitutional balance among the executive, judiciary, and legislature.

The PTI lawmaker acknowledged the Speaker’s ongoing efforts to strengthen parliamentary traditions. He commended initiatives such as empowering standing committees and encouraging assembly members to exercise their constitutional oversight over the government. However, he emphasized that despite these efforts, there remained a lack of substantive debate on important governance and human rights matters within the assembly.

"The trichotomy of powers is central to parliamentary democracy," Waqas Mahmood stated in his letter, warning against any actions that could undermine this principle.

Waqas Mahmood called on the Speaker to facilitate a meaningful discussion on the CCD's role and its impact on the separation of powers. He stressed the importance of maintaining the constitutional balance and ensuring that each branch of government operates within its defined limits.

The open letter has sparked discussions among assembly members about the need for increased oversight and transparency regarding the CCD. However, there has been no official response from the Speaker or the CCD at the time of reporting.

The HRCP's fact-finding report, which served as the basis for the lawmaker’s concerns, has not been publicly detailed in the assembly. The PTI lawmaker’s letter marks a formal call for parliamentary attention to the issue, with a focus on upholding constitutional norms and human rights protections.