Summary
- According to the report, serious crimes in Lahore Region dropped by 58 percent during the first year after the establishment of CCD.
- A year before CCD’s establishment, 399 murder cases were reported, compared to 254 cases during the first year of CCD operations.
- According to the figures, 379 cars were stolen in the year before CCD’s establishment compared to only 94 during the department’s first operational year.
When the Punjab government launched the Crime Control Department (CCD), many observers questioned whether another law enforcement wing could make a meaningful difference in a province struggling with organized crime, robberies, vehicle theft and violent offences. One year on, the department’s leadership claims the results are beginning to speak for themselves.
Under the supervision of Additional IG CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha, the department has released its one-year performance report for Lahore Region, showing a significant decline in several categories of serious crime.
According to the report, serious crimes in Lahore Region dropped by 58 percent during the first year after the establishment of CCD. Before the department became operational, 29,471 serious crime incidents were reported in a year. During the first year after its launch, that number fell to 12,470.
Officials describe the figures as evidence that the department’s focused approach against organized criminal networks has started producing results.
The report shows that murder cases declined by 36 percent. A year before CCD’s establishment, 399 murder cases were reported, compared to 254 cases during the first year of CCD operations.
Similarly, robbery incidents recorded a 53 percent decrease. Authorities reported 72 robbery cases before the department’s launch, while only 34 cases were registered during the following year.
One of the most striking reductions was reported in street robbery. The figures show a 77 percent decline, with cases dropping from 8,649 to 1,990. Cases involving murder during robberies also witnessed a 25 percent reduction, while incidents in which victims were injured during robberies showed a noticeable decline.
The report further states that rape-cum-murder cases fell by 100 percent. Eight such incidents were reported during the year preceding CCD’s formation, whereas no such case was recorded during the first year of its operation.
Vehicle-related crimes also showed a downward trend. Motorcycle snatching declined by 74 percent, motorcycle theft by 49 percent, while car theft cases dropped by 75 percent. According to the figures, 379 cars were stolen in the year before CCD’s establishment compared to only 94 during the department’s first operational year.
Burglary incidents also decreased by 46 percent, reflecting what officials describe as sustained action against habitual offenders and organized criminal groups.
The campaign, however, has not been without cost. The report notes that during operations against dangerous criminals and organized gangs, one CCD official embraced martyrdom while 46 officers and personnel sustained injuries.
Within Punjab’s law enforcement circles, Sohail Zafar Chattha is widely regarded as one of the driving forces behind the department’s operational strategy. Since taking charge, he has repeatedly emphasized intelligence-led policing, targeting organized criminal structures rather than focusing only on individual offenders.
CCD officials argue that the department has emerged as a specialized force capable of responding to crimes that often require coordinated investigations across districts and regions. They maintain that the department’s establishment has contributed significantly to crime control efforts across Punjab.
A CCD spokesperson said the reduction in crime compared to previous years reflects the department’s performance and commitment. He said officers and personnel continue to risk their lives in pursuit of a safer Punjab and vowed that operations against serious criminals would continue with public support.
While independent experts say long-term trends will ultimately determine the department’s success, the first-year statistics have undoubtedly strengthened CCD’s claim that it has become an important addition to Punjab’s law enforcement structure.
For now, Sohail Zafar Chattha and his team view the figures as an indication that the department’s model is delivering results and that the mission of making Punjab safer remains firmly on track.
