Deadly Surge in Police Encounters Sparks Human Rights Alarm in Punjab

LAHORE – A sharp rise in police encounters across Punjab, many involving a recently established special unit of the Punjab Police, has triggered serious concerns among human rights groups, who allege that extrajudicial killings are becoming a substitute for the judicial process.

According to data released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the province has witnessed over 500 alleged encounters since January 2025, resulting in more than 670 deaths — the highest in any province this year.

In a statement issued Monday, the HRCP expressed “deep alarm” over what it described as the growing normalisation of such incidents. The commission specifically pointed to the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD) in February 2025, which it says has become a “parallel police force” operating with sweeping powers.

“The HRCP is deeply concerned that the CCD, originally created to curb crime, is now functioning beyond its legal limits — registering FIRs, detaining suspects, and carrying out deadly operations without accountability,” the statement read.

The commission cited the recent killing of Khawaja Tareef Butt, alias Teefi Butt, in Rahim Yar Khan as a troubling example. Police claimed Butt was killed in an exchange of fire after his accomplices allegedly attacked a CCD convoy transporting him from Karachi to Lahore. However, the HRCP pointed to inconsistencies in the official account and raised questions about the legality of the operation.

The HRCP warned that this pattern of encounters — where suspects are almost always killed in purported shootouts — bypasses legal due process and undermines public trust in law enforcement and judicial institutions.

“Even the most serious offenders are entitled to a fair trial,” the HRCP said, adding that these actions set a dangerous precedent for state-sanctioned violence and the erosion of constitutional rights.

Read more: Feared Crime Boss Tayfi Butt Killed in CCD Encounter

In response, a spokesperson for the CCD rejected all allegations of wrongdoing and insisted the department operates within the bounds of the law.

“The CCD is not the only department empowered to register cases; agencies like the ANF, CTD, ATC, and FIA also have this mandate,” the spokesperson said. “There is zero tolerance for any extrajudicial act or excessive use of force. The CCD strictly follows legal procedures.”

He added that CCD primarily handles organised and violent crime, and suspects often resist arrest with force, prompting officers to respond in kind. “Our officers use only measured and minimum force during raids, as per legal and policy requirements,” he asserted.

The spokesperson also dismissed the HRCP’s claims as “unsubstantiated,” saying there is not a single proven case of torture or extrajudicial killing against the CCD.

Civil Society Alarmed

Despite official denials, civil society organisations and legal experts continue to express concern over the recurring pattern of encounters. Critics say the similarity in incident narratives — suspects firing first, followed by their deaths in police retaliation — raises red flags.

As the debate continues, the HRCP has called for an independent investigation into the rising number of police encounters and urged the government to uphold the rule of law and constitutional protections.