Punjab Crime Control Department recorded 924 suspect deaths in 670 encounters in eight months of 2025; HRCP calls it a policy of staged encounters, police deny it

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said on 17 February 2026 that Punjab's Crime Control Department (CCD) carried out 670 encounters over eight months of 2025 in which 924 suspects died, and described 'a deliberate policy of staged encounters'. HRCP said the Punjab government, CCD and police did not respond to its request for a meeting.