Pakistan’s police encounters replace rule of law, HRCP warns of alarming rise in extrajudicial killings

Rahim Yar Khan – The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised alarms over a troubling trend of alleged police encounters in Punjab, stating that these incidents are replacing the rule of law. Since January 2025, more than 500 police encounters have resulted in over 670 fatalities, surpassing numbers in any other province, reports 24brussels.

In a statement on social media platform X, HRCP expressed concerns that this pattern has intensified following the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD) in February 2025. Intended to combat organized crime, the CCD has instead evolved into a “parallel police structure” with extensive, unchecked powers. The commission noted that this body has the authority to file First Information Reports (FIRs), detain individuals, and conduct operations that often lead to fatal incidents.

The recent killing of Khwaja Tareef, also known as Teefi Butt, in Rahim Yar Khan exemplifies this disturbing trend. HRCP questioned the legality and transparency surrounding such operations, highlighting that these encounters frequently occur under ambiguous circumstances, lacking accountability. “The rise in these so-called encounters suggests that extrajudicial means are being used as a substitute for justice,” HRCP stated. “No institution, including the police, can be allowed to operate beyond the Constitution. Every individual, no matter how serious the alleged crime, is entitled to due process and a fair trial.”

HRCP emphasized that the state’s inability to secure justice through lawful means exacerbates issues of impunity and diminishes public trust in law enforcement. The commission has called on the Punjab government to conduct thorough investigations into recent encounters, assess the role of the CCD, and ensure that police forces are held accountable to the law rather than acting as unregulated enforcers.