Extrajudicial killings of offenders divide public opinion | The Express Tribune

LAHORE:

After every high-profile rape case, popular sentiment often incites the authorities to take extreme punitive measures against the culprits. While such extrajudicial encounters might temporarily placate public fury, they nevertheless jeopardize the rule of law.

In Punjab, several incidents have been reported this year involving the extrajudicial killings of suspects accused of harassing or sexually assaulting women. Most of these incidents were declared “encounters” by the police, while in some cases it was claimed that the suspects’ own weapons went off. However, neither the provincial government nor the police have released any comprehensive statistics on these incidents so far.

According to police sources, from January to October 2025, at least 18 suspects were killed and five injured in various districts of the province. These individuals had been accused of rape or harassment. In February, two suspects involved in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Bahawalpur were shot dead by unidentified individuals.

Similarly, in June, a suspect arrested in a gang rape case in Hafizabad died in police custody while another was injured and a third was later killed in a reported encounter. In August, a man involved in sexual crimes against children in Faisalabad was shot dead by the police. Till date, no official statement has been issued by the police on these incidents.

However, former Punjab Police officer Zaheeruddin Babar stated that most of these suspects were inexperienced criminals who panicked and took drastic steps after committing a crime. According to Babar these events reflected a moral and social decline, and enforcing the law was essential to stop them.

On the other hand, human rights organizations have expressed concern over the lack of transparency in these operations. Asad Iqbal Butt, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, believed that although sexual violence was a heinous crime, extrajudicial killings could never be justified.

“Through such fake encounters, the state violates not only the constitutional right to life and fair trial but also undermines the rule of law. Such actions foster a culture of impunity for law enforcement agencies,” noted Butt.

Public opinion on this trend is deeply divided. On social media, many users describe these killings as “instant justice,” but legal experts, academics, and human rights activists argue that such a practice damages the judicial system. According to lawyer Abdullah Malik, justice served by the gun instead of the court, is not law but a reign of fear.

Statistics show that the conviction rate in crimes against women is abysmally low. According to a report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), incidents of sexual violence, abduction, domestic abuse, and honor killings increased in Punjab in 2024, but very few perpetrators were convicted. In Lahore, 532 rape cases were reported followed by 340 in Faisalabad and 271 in Kasur, but only two convictions happened in Lahore and six in Kasur.

SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas stated that while the reporting mechanism had improved due to police reforms, the lack of effective prosecution led to delays in justice. “The laws exist but due to poor implementation, victims are deprived of justice,” asserted Abbas.

Human rights experts have argued that lasting protection for women lies in strengthening the rule of law, professional policing, swift judicial action, and public awareness. However, until the justice system becomes effective and prompt, public frustration will continue to fuel extrajudicial responses.