Pakistan police 'illegally execute hundreds of people each year', Human Rights Watch alleges

Officials deny that any such abuses are widespread - saying any individuals are punished by authorities

The report claims the police are 'one of the most feared, complained against and least trusted government institutions in Pakistan' (ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Police in Pakistan allegedly illegally excute hundreds of people each year in "staged encounter killings", a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) claims.

Several police officers allegedly claimed to HRW that encounters where suspects were killed were sometimes reported an act of self-defence or means of preventing them from fleeing arrest or escaping custody.

The report is based on interviews with 30 police officers of various ranks, as well as 50 interviews with victims and, their families, and witnesses to such alleged abuse, the group said.

The report claims: "Police are rarely held accountable for these killings and families of victims are deterred from filing complaints against police out of fear of harassment or being accused of false charges."

One senior office allegedly told the researchers: "As far as they are concerned, encounters are the perfect way of getting rid of hardened criminals.

"They do not consider it a gross violation of human rights and instead see it as an effective way of delivering justice."

The group quoted an unnamed senior police official as saying that security forces stage mock shootouts to kill "habitual offenders and criminals." Others cited in the report defended the practice, saying it was the only way to bring culprits to justice in an apparently corrupt system.

Nayab Haider, a spokesman for police in Punjab province, where Lahore is the capital, denied that extra-judicial killings and death in detention were widespread, saying any such abuses were carried out by individuals and punished by authorities.

The report calls for the police to address issues such as alleged bribery and suggests it creates a mechanism for increased accountability in order to "transform the police."

Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW, said: “Law enforcement has been left to a police force filled with disgruntled... and tired officers.

“Police should have the resources, training, equipment, and encouragement to act professionally instead of leaving Pakistanis to rely on favours... to seek justice.”