ISLAMABAD: Social media is abuzz with the news related to the recently-established Crimes Control Department (CCD). Opting for new departments and agencies is a tradition in Pakistan, both at national and provincial levels, but the way CCD has come into light is perhaps unprecedented.
طاقت یا دہشت فرد کی نہیں ہوتی ادارے یا وردی کی ہوتی ہیں جب قانون کی رٹ قائم ہو اس کی مثال آپ کے سامنے ہیں ولی خان نامی ڈون جو ناجائز اسلحہ غنڈہ گردی وغیرہ میں شامل تھا جو ایک غیر قانونی پاکستان میں مقیم افغانی تھا CCD نے
اس ڈؤن کو ایک لیڈی sp بینش کی سربراہی میں گرفتار کر کے… pic.twitter.com/qrizWpAfAP— CCD (crime Control Department) fan page (@Muhammadasim439) July 9, 2025
Shootouts with criminals ending up with their arrest or death have become a routine matter. Many people are citing a marked decrease in crimes, though the official figures were already pointing to a decline in crime rate.
Lahore is an example which saw a nearly 50 per cent drop in the reported crimes last year.
Govt’s initiative of CCD has in no time has gained immense popularity in rural Punjab.
Easily the most popular initiative to date in at least the rural Punjab۔
And most importantly ‘naam’ bhi acha hai pic.twitter.com/pcqyrAPBvx
— Junaid Sahi (@Junaid_Sahi) July 7, 2025
THEY CAN BE RUTHLESS
One may disagree with the politics of Sharifs, but no one can deny the fact that they have always been ruthless when it comes to criminals – and even encroachments – of all kinds and manifestations. They have the nerve to just ignore the critics. It is up to the people to decide whether it is a good or bad trait.
For example, the sectarian violence was its peak in Punjab In late 1980s and early 1990s. The different governments were unable to arrest the trend, damaging the very social fabric in the country. Then came the second term of Nawaz Sharif with his younger brother as the Punjab chief minister.
It was a period where the elder Sharif had many things in mind – ranging from economic development to regional connectivity and peaceful relations with India.
However, the basic thing required was peace at home. They tackled the most-feared terrorist organisation – Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) – in a way that sectarian killings stopped within months, despite an assassination attempt on the then prime minister.
Meanwhile, it wasn’t just terrorism. Other criminals were dealt in a similar fashion, amid the allegations of extra-judicial killings and fake encounters.
Net result? Improved law and order in Punjab, visible to everyone.
Later, the second and third stints of Shehbaz Sharif as chief minister also witnessed better law and order situations after years of lawlessness during the Musharraf regime.
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
What had been missing and still missing in Pakistan is modern policing where the police serve the people, not act like chieftains. Citizens shouldn’t be afraid of contacting police to report a crime, be it domestic violence or robbery.
As a first step, Shehbaz had envisioned a network of centres for the women victims of violence across the Punjab. He had established the first-of-its kind facility in Multan during his last term as chief minister. However, the change in government meant there was no progress in the following years.
Interestingly, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has not re-launched the initiative, although several new services are being provided to the people in general and women in particular.
مریم نواز کا ایک بڑا کارنامہ
ستھرا پنجاب کے بعد CCD دوسرا ادارہ ہےجو پنجاب میں تیزی سے کامیابی کیطرف بڑھ رہا ہے۔فی الحال ہرضلع میں ایک پولیس اسٹیشن،صرف لاہور میں 3پولیس اسٹیشن کےساتھ یہ ادارہ زبردست کام کر رہا ہے۔@Tahirmughalpml8 @pmln_org @MaryamNSharif #CCD #PunjabPolice pic.twitter.com/xX7A0lN2IO— Mahnoor Haider (@Mahnoor_Haider2) July 7, 2025
Law and order is a top priority for Maryam ever since she sat on the Punjab throne as political heir of Nawaz Sharif.
سی سی ڈی نے شکر گڑھ کے بدنام زمانہ کرایے کا ق۔ات،ل عرفان عرف پنی جو سپاری لیکر لوگوں کو قتل کرتا تھا کو CCD نے انجام تک پہنچا دیا۔ CCD سے مقابلے کے دوران اپنے ساتھیوں کی فائرنگ سے مارا گیا pic.twitter.com/sryKK0crxb
— Voice_ Of_ Punjab™ (@Awaz_Punjab_Di) July 3, 2025
What she has done is to give an institutional framework by creating the CDD, with the sole aim of fighting the organised crimes.
In February this year, she formally accorded approval to the new department. The job list has seven major organised crimes: drug trafficking, elimination of no-go areas, security of sensitive events, kidnapping, extortion, robbery, robbery-murder, and robbery-rape.
So there is hardly a day now without media reports of CDD eliminating or arresting some criminals, including most-wanted ones.
However, there are some who have been calling these acts as extrajudicial killings, while others point out that the crimes rate is nosediving in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, the end result so far is that criminals are busy posting videos on social media with a promise that they would not indulge in crimes in future.
ویلڈن :سہیل ظفر چھٹہ CCD 👌👌
کریمنلز جرائم چھوڑنے پر مجبورڈی جی خان:اعجاز ڈوم اور پیلہ ڈوم، جو پہلے چرس و منشیات کی خرید و فروخت میں ملوث تھے، آج اپنے تمام رشتہ داروں کے سامنے قرآن مجید اٹھا کر ان برے کاموں سے توبہ کر لی اور معافی مانگ لی۔ pic.twitter.com/kJg6wmN0yZ
— Mirza Rohan Munir (@MirzaRohanMunir) July 7, 2025
Certainly, fear is the most frightening feeling. Even more than death. And the CDD has been successful in achieving the first milestone.