The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar to conduct a comprehensive review of police encounters carried out by the newly formed Crime Control Department (CCD).
The directive came during a hearing led by LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, following a petition filed by a woman who alleged that her son had been killed in a staged encounter involving the CCD.
In compliance with the court’s summons, the IGP appeared in person and submitted a report stating that the deceased was being transported after a recovery when the police vehicle suffered a tyre puncture and came under attack by the suspect’s accomplices. According to the report, the suspect was fatally shot by crossfire from his own group.
Chief Justice Neelum noted that the IGP was summoned after the local Station House Officer (SHO) failed to satisfy the court with his explanation. While she described the IGP’s report as complete and satisfactory, she expressed concern over the consistency of such narratives.
“Why is it that whenever a police vehicle comes under attack, the bullet always hits the suspect — never a constable or the vehicle itself?” she questioned.
The chief justice pointed out that the court receives up to 50 petitions daily alleging fake encounters, particularly since the CCD’s inception. She stressed the need for accountability and urged a reassessment of the pattern of recent encounters.
Justice Neelum instructed the IGP to thoroughly evaluate all ongoing and recent encounters, and to meet with senior officers to prevent recurrence of any staged operations.
The petition, filed by Farhat Bibi, was subsequently disposed of. Her counsel told the court that her two sons — Ghazanfar Aslam and Ansar Aslam — were arrested by Sharqpur police, and that Ghazanfar was killed in an alleged staged encounter on April 22. He added that there is a serious threat to the life of the surviving brother.
The counsel argued that ever since the CCD was established, police encounters appear to follow a repetitive, scripted pattern — raising serious questions about their legitimacy.
