Latest news with #CrimeControlDepartment
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rs300 billion set aside for law and order maintenance
The Punjab government has allocated Rs300 billion for law and order in its budget for the fiscal year 202526. The announcement marks one of the largest-ever investments in internal security in the province's history, with emphasis on technology-driven policing, prison reform and the establishment of specialised crime-fighting institutions. More than Rs200 billion of the total allocation has been reserved for non-development expenditures, primarily covering operational costs and salaries for police across Punjab. Meanwhile, over Rs10 billion will be spent on development schemes in the police, prisons and Rescue 1122 sectors. A highlight of this year's budget is the establishment of the Crime Control Department (CCD) tasked with investigating heinous and organised crimes across the province. The CCD will be headquartered in Lahore and will receive a total Rs6.54 billion. This includes Rs3.24 billion under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the construction of its state-of-the-art headquarters and investigative facilities, while another Rs3.3 billion is earmarked for staffing, logistics and operations. The government has rolled out a plan to upgrade police infrastructure, with Rs600 million allocated for the renovation and modernisation of police stations across all districts. Additionally, Rs734.7 million has been allocated to bolster the Police Training School in Rawalpindi, while the Specialised Protection Unit (SPU) headquarters in Lahore will receive Rs797.2 million. To improve crowd control and tactical response capabilities, Rs382 million has been approved for the establishment of an Anti-Riot Headquarters in Lahore. Meanwhile, construction of new administrative facilities and residences is under way, including Rs450 million for the DPO office and residence in Murree, Rs350 million for investigation offices in Mandi Bahauddin and Rs280 million for officers' residences in Lahore. Emergency services under Rescue 1122 are set for expansion, with Rs508 million allocated for current and new initiatives. The Emergency Services Academy in Lahore will undergo a Rs352 million upgrade to improve training capacity, while two new rescue stations will be developed in Gujrat's Mangowali and Kathala Chowk areas at a cost of Rs291.8 million. Furthermore, Rs50 million will support Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTS) in rural areas, aiming to bridge emergency response gaps in under-served regions of Punjab. The government plans to significantly invest in the surveillance and command-and-control systems through its Smart Safe Cities and Tehsil Project. The Lahore Safe City initiative will be revamped with Rs1.2 billion to install high-resolution cameras and AI-based threat detection tools. To complete Smart Safe Cities in 19 additional districts, Rs2.54 billion has been earmarked, while Rs5.8 billion will fund the CM's Tehsil Project, which brings surveillance infrastructure to high-crime divisions across the province. The flagship Lahore Prisons Complex will receive Rs6 billion for construction of a modern correctional facility featuring vocational training, rehabilitation programmes and high-security zones. Another Rs4.8 billion will go toward building a new district jail in Sialkot with a capacity of 1,500 inmates. For ongoing prison infrastructure improvements, Rs674.5 million has been allocated for staff accommodations and inmate reintegration initiatives. Additional funds include Rs65.6 million for the expansion of Child Protection Units in eight districts and Rs1.17 billion for establishing inter-provincial joint checkpoints at key locations like Attock and Bhakkar to counter crime and smuggling across the provincial border.
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Hafizabad gang-rape prime suspect killed in encounter
A key suspect in a gang-rape case was killed in an alleged police encounter near Jorian in the Mangat Uncha area, while three of his accomplices managed to flee, according to officials from the Crime Control Department (CCD). The CCD stated that the operation was conducted based on intelligence reports about the presence of suspects linked to a recent gang-rape incident. During the raid, the suspects reportedly opened fire on law enforcement officers from inside a building. Police retaliated in self-defence, and during the exchange of gunfire, one suspect, identified as Khawar, was fatally shotallegedly by bullets fired by his own accomplices during the crossfire. The remaining three suspects escaped and are currently being sought in an ongoing manhunt. Police sources revealed that Khawar, along with his associates Ikraam Mangat, Laeeq and Chand, had allegedly abducted a husband and wife at gunpoint and subjected them to sexual assault. The suspects reportedly forced the couple to engage in intercourse while filming the incident. The video was later shared online, sparking widespread outrage. The incident prompted swift action from District Police Officer (DPO) Atif Nazir, who ordered an immediate investigation and crackdown on the accused. Authorities confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects and that further legal proceedings will follow. Earlier on Wednesday, the female complainant in a gang-rape case that took place in Mangat Uncha on April 25, recorded her statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before Civil Judge and Area Magistrate Ali Naqi Tipu, detailing the events involving abduction and assault. Over a month after the incident of gang-rape and forced sexual abuse, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on June 3. The incident involved three armed men who allegedly gang-raped a woman in front of her husband at gunpoint, while one of the suspects recorded the assault on video. The case gained renewed urgency after the explicit footage surfaced on social media.
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Two cops held for abduction, extortion
Two policemen have been booked in a case, suspended from service and arrested for allegedly getting involved in abduction and extortion. The action has been taken on the orders of Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani. According to a police spokesperson, the matter came to light when a citizen submitted a formal complaint to the city police chief, alleging that two officials, posted in the Crime Control Department and at Naseerabad Police Station, had extorted money from him. The officials allegedly stopped the complainant, who was riding a motorcycle, threatened him, and forcibly took Rs85,000. The complainant accused the cops of kidnapping him and receiving money. The Potohar SP led the inquiry, which established the allegations. Taking notice of the complaint, the CPO ordered an inquiry into the matter. Following the investigation, a case was registered at the Civil Lines Police Station against the accused who were also taken into custody. Both officers have already been suspended, and departmental disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them. CPO Hamdani says abuse of power and corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances and has advised the Rawalpindi police to correct their conduct and otherwise those involved in crime or its facilitation will no longer remain part of the force.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Repeat sex offenders face GPS monitoring
The user would have to enable GPS so the police may locate them. PHOTO: REUTERS The Punjab government has announced a new initiative to electronically monitor habitual sex offenders through GPS-enabled ankle devices. The system, introduced by the Crime Control Department (CCD), will initially be implemented for repeat offenders convicted in rape and sodomy cases, with plans to expand the programme to include individuals involved in other serious crimes. According to CCD officials, offenders with two or more convictions will be fitted with tamper-proof electronic bands that send real-time location updates every hour to a central control room. If an offender attempts to leave designated areas without permission or tampers with the device, authorities will be notified immediately. "These electronic restraints will physically restrict offenders while allowing us to track their movements 24/7," a CCD spokesperson told The Express Tribune. The first deployment of 30 devices is scheduled to take place in Lahore this week, with an additional 100 monitors to be distributed across the province in the coming phase. The bands may only be removed after an offender has demonstrated consistent behavioural improvement over a monitored period. This initiative is part of a broader electronic surveillance strategy approved by Home Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal. The programme includes the procurement of 1,500 GPS trackers for suspects on the Fourth Schedule and repeat offenders under the supervision of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), CCD, and parole authorities. A few days earlier, Secretary Mengal chaired a high-level meeting at his office where the import of more than 1,500 GPS monitoring bands was approved. Habitual criminals The provincial home department has also drafted 'The Punjab Control of Goondas Act, 2025' to curb the activities of habitual criminals, enhance public safety and deter anti-social behaviour. The draft provides a legal framework for identifying, monitoring, and restraining elements that pose a threat to public order. It provides the legal definition of Goonda as "a person habitually involved in disorderly conduct, criminal activity, or anti-social behaviour that endangers peace or creates public nuisance". The District Intelligence Committees (DICs) will be empowered to declare an individual a 'Goonda' on the basis of credible reports from police officers, assistant commissioners, intelligence agencies or written complaints. The grounds for the declaration include involvement in drug trafficking, gambling, extortion, cybercrimes, harassment, organised criminal activity, use of forged documents, display of weapons, running a brothel, impersonation of public officials and other listed offences. Upon the declaration, the DIC may impose various restrictions on the targeted individuals, including, requiring a bond for good behaviour in future, placement on no-fly list, blocking CNIC and passport, confiscation of digital devices and data and freezing of bank accounts. The proposed requirements include community service and restriction upon visiting sensitive public places. The law allows for technical surveillance, including digital monitoring and biometric data collection, to ensure compliance and detect criminal conduct.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Four held for killing woman for property
A man got his pregnant sister-in-law killed with the help of shooters over a financial dispute of Rs12.5 million. The Crime Control Department (CCD) has arrested four men, including two shooters, in the murder case. SP CCD Malik Tariq Singha told the media that some time ago, in the area of Millat Town police station, Aqsa Bibi was killed by her brother-in-law Ali Rizwan, in collusion with his brother Rizwan alias Jani and the shooters Saifullah, Pervaiz alias Boota Masih and Usman alias Sheeshi. Accused Ali Rizwan had a property dispute with Aqsa Bibi as he had taken Rs11 million from her mother. He contacted the shooters on WhatsApp and got them to kill Aqsa Bibi and the baby in her womb. After the case was registered at Millat Town Police Station, the case file was handed over to the CCD. The in-charge of CCD Headquarters, Syed Irum Raza Shah, raided various places and traced this murder and arrested the deceased's brother-in-law Ali Rizwan and the shooters Saifullah, Pervez alias Boota Masih and Usman alias Sheshi along with the murder weapon. During the interrogation, the accused revealed that they had also killed Mubashir, a scrap dealer, and injured his father.
