'Punjab records highest number of encounters'

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday adjourned until the third week of June the hearing on a petition challenging the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD), after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a report detailing alleged police encounters and custodial torture cases across the country.

Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry heard the petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel against the formation of the CCD.

According to the FIA report, a total of 364 inquiries related to alleged police encounters and custodial torture were initiated nationwide between 2022 and April 30, 2026.

During the same period, 52 criminal cases were registered against police officials.

The report stated that Punjab recorded the highest number of complaints, with 266 inquiries conducted and 19 criminal cases registered against police personnel.

In Islamabad, authorities carried out 15 inquiries, leading to six criminal cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 48 inquiries and six registered cases.

According to the report, Balochistan recorded two inquiries, both of which resulted in criminal cases against police officials.

Sindh reported 33 inquiries, out of which 19 cases were registered.

The FIA requested the court to dismiss the petition challenging the establishment of the Crime Control Department.

After reviewing the report and hearing preliminary arguments, the court adjourned further proceedings until the third week of June.