Sindh Police Emulating Punjab's 'Encounters' Amidst Frustration with Legal System
Recent killings of arrested suspects in alleged "encounters" in Karachi suggest the Sindh police may be adopting tactics similar to Punjab's infamous Crime Control Department (CCD). These incidents, where suspects allegedly die during raids while supposedly assisting police, raise questions about the Sindh police's faith in the legal system. Officials, speaking anonymously, cited frustration with the justice system and a desire to prevent criminals fleeing Punjab from operating in Sindh, particularly Karachi. They noted that proclaimed offenders and habitual criminals often secure bail and return to criminal activities. The police have reportedly implemented a "zero tolerance" policy to counter this.
Examples cited include a suspect wanted in 140 Punjab cases apprehended in Karachi, a Punjab gang busted after a Rs6.5 million robbery, and extortionists from Rawalpindi targeting businesses. South DIG Syed Asad Raza acknowledged a shift towards "forcible action" against crime. However, another official warned of "collateral damage," referencing a recent incident in Chakwal, Punjab, where an innocent girl was killed during a CCD operation. A Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) official stressed that improving the criminal justice system is the long-term solution, highlighting a case where two suspected extortionists arrested by CPLC and police were released on bail shortly after. A Punjab police official attributed their province's crime reduction to technological advancements, modern equipment, and a state-of-the-art forensic lab, not solely CCD operations.
The reported shift by Sindh police towards "encounter" killings, mirroring Punjab's CCD methods, suggests a systemic breakdown in the efficacy and perceived fairness of the formal justice system. This approach, driven by frustration with judicial processes and the challenge of recidivism, prioritizes immediate incapacitation over due process. While aiming for deterrence, this strategy carries inherent risks of wrongful deaths and erodes public trust, potentially creating a cycle of violence and impunity. The long-term viability of such tactics is questionable, as they bypass the foundational principles of justice and rehabilitation. Sustainable crime reduction likely hinges on strengthening judicial capacities, improving investigative integrity, and addressing the root socio-economic factors that contribute to criminal activity, rather than relying on extrajudicial measures that carry significant ethical and legal liabilities.
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