Sluggish probe plagues Pindi police
The performance of police investigation teams in Rawalpindi during the first four months of 2025 has been described as deeply disappointing, with only a fraction of case challans (charge sheets) submitted within the stipulated timeframe.
From January 1 to April 30, a total of 16,195 cases were registered across 30 police stations in the district. However, 60pc of serious casesincluding those involving murder, attempted murder, abduction, sexual assault, robbery, and narcoticswere not followed by complete challans.
Instead, investigating officers submitted incomplete reports, creating an illusion of performance for senior officials.
In this period, police recorded 100 murder cases, 212 attempted murder cases, 520 cases of women abduction, 51 cases of rape or sexual abuse against women and children, 1,288 robberies, 2,369 thefts, and 569 narcotics cases.
While challans for cases registered in the last quarter of 2024 were submitted to the courts, delays in newer cases have allowed suspects in serious crimes to secure bail and disappear.
Police are legally required to submit challans within 14 days of a case being registered, but not a single case met this deadline.
Investigation teams argue that it is virtually impossible to complete challans for serious cases in two weeks, citing delays in forensic lab reports which often take three to six months or more.
Supreme Court advocate Shahzeb Khan has called for urgent reforms, recommending that forensic labs be established in every division and operate independently of government control.
He also suggests extending the challan deadline to 30 days and relieving investigation officers from routine security and night duties so they can focus solely on their caseload.
Retired senior investigation officer Iftikhar Ahmed added that there is no real investigative framework in Pakistan.
He claimed investigating officers lack autonomy and are often overruled by senior officers.
He also highlighted systemic issues, including the absence of financial support for investigationsforcing officers to cover court and transportation expenses from their own pockets, which in turn opens the door to corruption.
"Until we ensure investigative independence, timely forensic results, and proper funding, legal reforms will remain ineffective," he said.
The police's failure to present complete and timely charge sheets has been highlighted as a key reason for the dismal conviction rates.
Investigating officers frequently submit incomplete or temporary charge sheets, misleading senior officials into thinking the cases are progressing. Many cases take over a year before a final charge sheet is submitted, allowing defendants to secure bail and disappear.
A senior police investigator, speaking anonymously, pointed out that political influence, inadequate resources, and administrative duties were hampering professional investigations.