Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has raised concerns over the recurring pattern of police encounters resulting in the deaths of detained suspects, questioning why bullets in such incidents consistently hit only the accused and not police officials or their vehicles.
The remarks came during the hearing of a petition filed by Farhat Bibi, who alleged that her son, Ghazanfar Aslam, was killed in a staged police encounter and sought protection for her other son, Ansar Aslam, currently imprisoned in Sheikhupura jail.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar appeared before the bench after earlier reports submitted by the concerned police failed to satisfy the court.
According to the police, a van carrying the accused had suffered a puncture, during which time unidentified attackers allegedly opened fire, resulting in Ghazanfar's death. The petitioner's counsel, however, contended that both brothers had been arrested by the Sharaqpur police, and Ghazanfar was later killed in custody. The lawyer expressed fear that Ansar might meet a similar fate.
CJ Neelum noted with concern that the court has been receiving dozens of petitions daily related to alleged fake encounters and custodial killings. "Why is it that during indiscriminate firing, the bullets only hit the accused and not the police officials or their vehicles?" she questioned, calling the pattern deeply troubling.
While the Chief Justice expressed satisfaction with the report submitted by the IGP during the hearing, she instructed him to conduct a broader departmental review of such incidents. The IGP was directed to examine the role of the Crime Control Department (CCD) in similar cases and devise measures to prevent extrajudicial killings in the future.
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