Punjab Police, CCD vow transparent probe into Chakwal incident, promise visible justice for Hania’s family

LAHORE, Jun 18 (APP): Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem and Additional Inspector General of Crime Control Department (CCD) Punjab, Sohail Zafar Chattha, on Thursday assured a transparent and impartial investigation into the Chakwal incident, pledging that justice would not only be done but would also be seen to be done.

Addressing a joint press conference in Lahore, IGP Punjab Abdul Kareem expressed deep sorrow over the death of young Hania and extended condolences to her family. “We are deeply saddened by the Chakwal incident. It is a tragedy not only for the bereaved family but for all of us,” he said, adding that the case had been taken with utmost seriousness and investigations were being conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

The IGP said a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), headed by a senior superintendent of police (SSP), had been constituted to ensure an unbiased probe and ascertain the facts. He added that all relevant Punjab government institutions and police departments were fully cooperating with the JIT.

Abdul Kareem said the police, as an institution, were accountable for the incident and committed to bringing the truth before the public. He added that the challan would soon be completed and submitted to the court.

Referring to his visit earlier in the day to Dera Ghazi Khan, where he met the families of two police martyrs who lost their lives in a terrorist attack, the IGP said the sacrifices of Punjab Police personnel reflected their unwavering commitment to the rule of law and a crime-free Punjab.

The IGP assured Hania’s family that complete justice would be ensured and that measures would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional IG CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha said the incident had caused immense grief and that he personally visited the family immediately after the tragedy to offer condolences and pray at Hania’s grave.

He said the family had been assured of a transparent and impartial investigation and had expressed full confidence in the CCD’s inquiry process.

Chattha said CCD had promptly suspended and arrested the accused officer and, on the request of the victim’s family, registered a murder case under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code against its own official.

He said the investigation team had collected and secured all relevant evidence, including the accused officer’s official rifle, spent bullet casings and other forensic material, to ensure the case reached its logical conclusion.

The Additional IG said the investigation would be completed and a comprehensive challan submitted to the court by the end of next week.

He further revealed that the Australian government had also contacted the authorities regarding the case and had been assured that a transparent investigation would be conducted and justice delivered to the affected family.

The CCD head said the department had decided to review its standard operating procedures (SOPs) following the incident and would soon organise special training programmes for officers and personnel to reinforce compliance with legal requirements and operational protocols.

He said the CCD remained fully committed to human rights and ensured that innocent citizens were not harmed during operations, even if it meant allowing a wanted suspect to escape.

Highlighting the department’s performance, he said CCD had achieved significant success in crime prevention and contributed to a noticeable decline in crime rates within a short period. He added that two CCD officers had embraced martyrdom while more than 200 personnel had been injured in the line of duty during anti-crime operations. “I promise the affected family and the public that in this case, justice will not only be done but will also be seen to be done,” Chattha said.