Deaths in Alleged Police Encounters Raise Serious Questions: Why Are Suspects Not Convicted Through Courts?

HRCP calls for judicial scrutiny of alleged CCD encounters; questions emerge over fair trials, witness protection and the transparency of criminal investigations
LAHORE: The deaths of suspects allegedly involved in serious crimes during police encounters have raised significant questions about Pakistan’s criminal justice system, police investigations and the rule of law. A central question is why suspects accused of serious offences are not consistently brought before courts, tried on the basis of evidence and sentenced through due legal process when found guilty.
A report published in Daily Jang has highlighted several questions concerning the implementation of fair-trial rights, witness protection, the quality of police investigations, weaknesses in charge sheets and possible pressures affecting independent investigations.
Why Are Suspects Not Being Convicted Through the Courts?
One of the key questions is why criminal cases involving serious offences do not always reach their logical conclusion under the Pakistan Penal Code and other relevant laws.
If credible evidence exists against a suspect, effective legal proceedings should be pursued to ensure that the case is presented before a court and a conviction is secured where guilt is established beyond reasonable doubt.
The following issues require particular attention:
What obstacles prevent the effective implementation of the constitutional right to a fair trial?
Why are witness-protection laws not implemented effectively in criminal cases?
Who is accountable when weak investigations, deficient charge sheets or legal shortcomings benefit accused persons?
Why is greater emphasis not placed on collecting and preserving scientific and forensic evidence from crime scenes?
What forms of pressure or administrative challenges may affect independent and impartial police investigations?
How can transparent and credible investigations into every death during an alleged police encounter be ensured?
Human rights advocates and legal experts argue that these questions deserve serious consideration to ensure that offenders are punished according to law while the rights of innocent people are protected.
HRCP Calls for Judicial Investigations
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called in February 2026 for judicial investigations into alleged police encounters involving Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD).
According to the figures cited in the information provided, the HRCP fact-finding report refers to 670 CCD encounters in Punjab between April and December 2025, during which 924 suspected individuals were reportedly killed. The report also refers to the deaths of two police personnel during the same period.
If these figures are accurate, the scale and circumstances of the reported incidents warrant careful and independent scrutiny. However, the figures alone should not be treated as conclusive proof that every incident involved unlawful conduct. Each case requires an impartial assessment of the available evidence and circumstances.
Key Concerns Highlighted in the HRCP Report
According to the report details provided, the HRCP raised concerns over several aspects of the reported encounters.
1. High number of reported fatalities
The report cites 924 suspected individuals killed in 670 alleged CCD encounters between April and December 2025, alongside two reported police personnel deaths during the same period.
2. Frequency of the incidents
The reported number and frequency of fatalities have prompted questions about oversight, accountability and the need for independent investigations into the circumstances of each incident.
3. Similar language in police statements and FIRs
According to the report, some police press releases and First Information Reports (FIRs) contained similar descriptions of incidents, including claims that suspects opened fire first, police responded in self-defence and accomplices escaped.
The report raises concerns about this apparent similarity and the need to examine the circumstances surrounding individual cases.
4. Investigations into custodial deaths
The report also raises questions about investigations into deaths in police custody and the implementation of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, including the role of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
5. Concerns regarding affected families
The report reportedly expresses concern about alleged intimidation, pressure on families and issues surrounding the burial of deceased individuals. Such allegations require independent investigation to establish the facts and determine whether any legal violations occurred.
CCD Rejects the HRCP Report
The Crime Control Department has rejected the HRCP report, maintaining that it operates under the Constitution of Pakistan and the Police Order 2002. The department says force is used only as a last resort.
The CCD also claims that its operations have contributed to a significant reduction in crime across Punjab.
However, claims of declining crime rates and questions regarding the legality of individual police operations are separate issues. Every alleged encounter must be assessed on the basis of evidence, the circumstances of the incident and applicable legal requirements.
Why Criminal Justice Reforms Matter
Effective crime control requires more than arrests and police operations. Thorough investigations, reliable evidence, witness protection, strong prosecution and independent judicial proceedings are essential components of a functioning justice system.
When evidence is not properly collected or preserved, witnesses lack protection, or weak charge sheets are submitted, even serious criminal cases may fail to produce convictions.
Improved coordination among police departments, prosecutors, forensic agencies and courts, together with effective oversight and accountability, is therefore essential.
The Central Question: Immediate Action or Justice Through Law?
The debate over deaths in alleged police encounters ultimately concerns the rule of law. When a person is accused of a serious crime, the state is responsible for collecting evidence lawfully, pursuing prosecution through the courts and securing punishment when guilt is established.
Likewise, when an encounter raises reasonable suspicions of unlawful conduct, an independent investigation and appropriate legal action against those responsible are essential.
The concerns raised by the HRCP underline the need for transparent investigations, effective oversight and reforms to strengthen Pakistan’s criminal justice system. The rule of law can be strengthened only when offenders are punished through lawful proceedings, innocent people are protected and public institutions are held accountable for their actions.