LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued notices to concerned parties regarding a plea seeking to make the Federal Investigation Agency a party in a petition challenging killings in alleged police encounters across Punjab.
A single bench of Justice Shahram Sarwar adjourned the next hearing until April 4.
The petition, filed by lawyer Azhar Siddique, highlights the deaths of around 1,100 individuals in alleged police encounters in Punjab since January 2025. Petitioners cited recent cases, including the murder of advocate Zeeshan Shabbir Dhaddi in Vehari, as examples of these encounters.
In its response, the Punjab Police rejected claims of fake encounters by the Crime Control Department (CCD), asserting that the department has successfully reduced crime rates in the province by up to 60% since its establishment. A detailed report outlining CCD operations was submitted to the LHC.
The petitioners argued that under law, the FIA is obligated to investigate custodial killings within 30 days, but alleged that no such inquiries have been conducted. They are urging the court to immediately order a halt to police encounters and direct the FIA to investigate all killings linked to such incidents since January 2025.
Additionally, the petition seeks strict enforcement of the Anti-Custodial Killings Act 2022 to ensure accountability and protect citizens’ rights.
