Punjab crime control department reports sharp fall in major offences, rejects HRCP allegations

WEB DESK: The Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) has claimed a marked decline in major crimes across the province over the past year, citing comparative data from the post-May period of 2024 and 2025. The department also dismissed allegations by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) regarding staged police encounters and extrajudicial killings.

Crime trends show decline in Lahore, province-wide

According to the CCD, which began operations in May last year, a performance review indicated significant reductions in several crime categories, particularly in Lahore.

In the provincial capital, murder cases dropped from 361 to 220, a 39 percent decrease, while attempted murder fell from 812 to 504, reflecting a 38pc decline. Reported incidents of dacoity decreased from 35 to 15 (57pc), and house dacoity from 33 to six (82pc).

Robbery recorded one of the steepest declines, falling from 8,213 to 1,823, a 78pc reduction. Theft within boundary walls declined by 9pc, burglary by 44pc, while motorcycle and car snatching cases dropped by 69pc and 50pc, respectively.

Across Punjab, murders decreased from 3,952 to 3,022 (24pc), and attempted murder cases fell by 18pc. Dacoity and robbery declined by 60pc and 53pc, while theft within boundary walls and burglary were down by 17pc and 27pc, respectively.

Police casualties during operations

The CCD said the reduction in crime came at a cost, with 19 police officers losing their lives in the line of duty across the province. A further 167 personnel, including 13 CCD officials, sustained firearm or other serious injuries during operations.

The department described Punjab’s security landscape as complex, citing the presence of organised criminal groups equipped with automatic weapons who often engage law enforcement with lethal force.

Department rebuts HRCP report on encounters

In response to a recent HRCP fact-finding report calling for a judicial inquiry into police encounters, the CCD rejected allegations of staged shootouts and extrajudicial actions.

The rights body had reported that at least 670 encounters were carried out in Punjab over eight months in 2025, resulting in 924 suspects killed and two police officials losing their lives.

In a statement, the CCD said its operations were conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the Police Order 2002 and applicable criminal procedure laws. It maintained that arrests remain the primary objective, and that force is used only when necessary and proportionate.

The department said lethal force was employed solely as a last resort in situations involving armed resistance or imminent threats to life, and that officers acted in self-defence to protect civilians and themselves when confronted with danger.

Addressing concerns about potential abuse of authority, the CCD acknowledged that misconduct by individual officers was unacceptable. It said personnel found involved in corruption, misuse of power or professional violations were being proceeded against under departmental and criminal laws.

Reaffirming its stance, the CCD said it maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards torture, fabrication of evidence, intimidation of citizens and unlawful use of force.