Punjab Announces New Department to Stop Serious Crimes

The Punjab governor has issued an ordinance amending Police Order 2002 to establish a new Crime Control Department (CCD), which will be responsible for registering and investigating offences listed under the Fourth Schedule.

The Police Order (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 grants the CCD authority to set up its own police stations and register FIRs for serious and heinous crimes.

With this development, the CCD becomes the third independent policing body in Punjab authorized to register criminal cases—joining the ranks of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the regular police force.

As per the ordinance, a specialized unit named the Crime Control Force will be formed within the CCD. This force will operate under a structured hierarchy with headquarters, regional offices, districts, subdivisions, police stations, and specialized units or wings.

The CCD will be led by an Additional Inspector General (IG) of Police, who will oversee its administration. The head will be supported by a team that may include Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), Superintendents (SPs), and Assistant/Deputy Superintendents, along with other personnel as designated by the government.

According to the notification, “Crime Control Department police stations shall be established in every district, and the officers in charge will follow the legal code in handling cases registered at or transferred to these stations.”

The Punjab government has already appointed senior officer Zubair Chatha as the inaugural Additional IG of the CCD.

In an interview with Dawn, Zubair Chatha shared that the CCD headquarters would initially be set up at Qurban Lines. The department will include three DIGs overseeing training, vigilance, and internal accountability, respectively.

Chatha added that the CCD has taken over the Organized Crime Unit (OCU), previously active in Lahore, which will now function under CCD’s command.

In Lahore, the CCD will be led by an SSP-level officer, supported by three SPs. Each SP will supervise three DSPs, along with other necessary staff. The Lahore CCD will also include dedicated specialized units.