A legal notice has been issued to the Punjab government and relevant police authorities over an increase in police encounters across the province.
The notice was sent by Azhar Siddique, head of the Judicial Activism Panel. According to reported figures, more than 900 people have been killed in police encounters since April 2025. The data shows a notable rise in such incidents in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sheikhupura.
A report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan documented 670 police encounters. The report raised questions about whether suspects had allegedly made full confessions before being killed, calling the circumstances of these incidents into question.
In the legal notice, authorities have been asked to provide verified details of all police encounters under the Right to Information law. The notice also seeks clarification on the legal status of the Crime Control Department (CCD), including information on its establishment, operating procedures, and oversight mechanisms.
The notice further states that the use of identical language in FIRs related to police encounters has created serious doubts about their credibility.
Authorities have also been directed to provide details regarding the implementation of the Torture and Custodial Death Act 2022.
The notice calls for an end to extrajudicial killings and demands that responsibility be fixed on those involved. It also proposes the formation of a judicial tribunal to investigate alleged fake police encounters.
The notice warns that if no response is received within ten days, the matter will be taken to the Lahore High Court.