EVERY now and then, the national media reports alleged extrajudicial killings in police encounters. Even a recent editorial ‘Fake encounters’ (Sept 28) noted an alarming rise in such cases, condemning the “scourge of phony encounters”. Extrajudicial killings have become a grim reality in Pakistan, leaving deva-station and despair in their wake. It is imperative that we examine the respo-nsibility of the police force towards the accused individuals in their custody, particularly in the light of the laws of the land. The police, entrusted with maintaining law and order, have increasingly been implicated in staged encounters, which undermine the rule of law and perpetuate a culture of impunity. This phenomenon can be attributed to institutional weakness, lack of accoun-tability, and pressure to produce results in a crime-ridden society. The reliance on encounter killings bypasses the judicial process, undermining the spirit as well as the practice of democracy. To address this menace, the government and law-enforcement agencies must take concrete steps towards institutional reforms, such as setting up independent police complaint commissions and internal affairs units, that may ensure account-ability. Moreover, training programmes focu-ssing on human rights, due process, and community policing can also recalibrate the police approach. The judiciary has a pivotal role to play in stemming this tide. Impartial invest-igations and accountability can restore public trust in the justice system. Fake police encounters represent a grave threat to justice, human rights and the rule of law in the country. The police must realise the responsibility towards accused individuals, and uphold constitutional guarantees. Only through concerted efforts towards reform, accou-ntability and due process can Pakistan eradicate the scourge of fake encounters and ensure that justice is served to all.