HRW claims police behind hundreds of extrajudicial killings

KARACHI: The Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Monday highlighting the possibility that police in Pakistan may be responsible for hundreds of extrajudicial killings every year.

In its 102-page report titled This Crooked System, the HRW citing public surveys and reports from government accountability and redress institutions stated that the police are one of the most widely feared, complained against and least trusted government institutions in Pakistan.

The report points out the “politicisation of district level police chiefs who are under the control of powerful politicians, wealthy landowners and other influential members of society.”Citing interviews with police officials, the HRW report states that officers openly admitted to the practice of fake encounter killings in which police stage an armed exchange to kill an individual already in custody.

The report claims such encounters take place because of pressure from higher command or powerful individuals or due because the police are unable because the police is unable to gather enough evidence to ensure convictions.

 "Pakistan faces grave security challenges that can be best handled by a rights-respecting, accountable police force," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Instead, law enforcement has been left to a police force filled with disgruntled, corrupt and tired officers who commit abuses with impunity, making Pakistanis less safe, not more."

 In the biggest city Karachi, encounter killings have surged since 2013 as paramilitary forces and police have stepped up raids against Taliban militants, criminals and armed political activists.