MALÉ, Maldives – 29 February 2026 – The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has alleged a systematic pattern of extrajudicial killings by the Crime Control Department (CCD), a specialised wing of the Punjab Police, within Punjab province. A report released by the HRCP in February 2026 indicates that 924 suspects died in what were termed “staged encounters” during the first eight months of 2025, while only two police officials were killed in the same period.

The HRCP report, which examined at least 670 documented encounters during the specified period, suggests that these incidents represent an institutionalised practice of bypassing the judicial process. This significant casualty imbalance, with suspects dying at a rate of more than two per day compared to minimal police fatalities, points to an orchestrated practice rather than genuine armed confrontations, according to the commission.

Allegations of Legal and Constitutional Violations

Police accounts of these encounters frequently describe suspects initiating fire while travelling by motorcycle at night, leading to police retaliation in “self-defence.” The HRCP noted the use of uniform, often identical, language in official reports across various districts. In some instances, reports included detailed confessions attributed to suspects who were reported to have died moments later.

The commission’s findings highlight potential violations of domestic and international human rights law. These include non-compliance with Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, and mandatory magisterial inquiries required under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Furthermore, the CCD’s operations are considered inconsistent with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which stipulate necessity and proportionality in the use of lethal force. The HRCP found no clear evidence of compliance with these mandatory procedures in the cases reviewed.

Historical Context and Calls for Action

The report places these alleged practices within a broader historical context of state-sanctioned violence in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab and Sindh provinces. Previous incidents of alleged extrajudicial killings by state agents have been documented during various conflicts and law enforcement operations, including the 1971 civil war and operations in Sindh during the 1980s and 1990s. Statistics from between 1990 and mid-2005 indicate that Punjab police figures recorded a total of 2,246 suspects killed in 3,424 encounters, suggesting an entrenched policing culture.

In response to its findings, the HRCP has called for an immediate province-wide moratorium on all encounter operations until independent oversight and legal safeguards are established. The commission also recommended the formation of a high-level judicial commission to investigate the reported deaths and ensure accountability. Additionally, the HRCP urged mandatory compensation for the families of the deceased, reporting instances where families were pressured to bury bodies quickly and warned against pursuing legal action.

Official Response and Broader Concerns

Provincial authorities and spokespersons for the Crime Control Department maintain that the department operates with the aim of eliminating serious crime within the province. However, human rights advocates have expressed concern that the normalisation of such violence could have lasting detrimental effects on Pakistan’s democratic institutions and its international standing.