Punjab Ccd Extrajudicial Killings Allegations And Human Rights Concerns

The recent developments regarding the Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) have raised significant concerns, particularly following a fact-finding report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) that alleges a systematic policy of extrajudicial killings. The report highlights that in the past eight months, the CCD conducted 670 encounters, resulting in 924 deaths, while only two police officials were reported killed. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram questioned the legitimacy of these operations, stating, "What is happening in Punjab? Is it an official state policy?" He called for a judicial inquiry, emphasizing that public trust would erode without transparency. The CCD has denied these allegations, asserting that it operates within the law and has contributed to a significant reduction in crime across Punjab, particularly in Lahore, as claimed in their press release. However, the HRCP's findings suggest that the operational patterns indicate an institutionalized practice rather than isolated incidents of misconduct, calling for urgent scrutiny into these deaths.