For decades, names like Gogi Butt and Teefi Butt carried a certain dark weight in Lahore. They were spoken in whispers, feared in neighbourhoods, and treated as men beyond the reach of the law — symbols of power, intimidation, and political protection. Their empires thrived on extortion, fear, and deep-rooted influence, while generations grew up believing no one could challenge them.

But that era now seems to be ending — and at the centre of this storm stands one man who has redefined policing in Punjab: Sohail Zafar Chatha. As head of the Crime Control Department (CCD), Chatha has injected new confidence, discipline, and resolve into the force, and his leadership has begun to undo decades of criminal dominance.

Teefi Butt — long regarded as one of Punjab’s most powerful gangsters — was killed in an alleged police encounter while in custody, confirmed by the CCD. His death sent shockwaves through Lahore’s underworld, marking a rare moment when the state’s authority proved stronger than criminal clout. Raids are now underway to capture Gogi Butt, a man with even deeper roots in Lahore’s underworld, and insiders suggest his end may not be much different.

What makes this moment extraordinary is how unexpected it was. Many had believed that Teefi Butt’s political connections and influence would protect him — that the CCD would not dare to act against someone so well-connected. In the past, its operations largely targeted small-time criminals and petty gangs, while the politically backed figures remained untouched. But Sohail Zafar Chatha shattered that perception. Under his direction, the department acted decisively and without hesitation — proving that the law, when led by courage, can indeed be blind to status.

For years, the mere mention of these names was enough to silence witnesses, bend systems, and frighten communities. Yet under Chatha’s fearless leadership, the CCD has changed the equation. There is now a growing sense that the state — long accused of weakness and selective justice — has rediscovered its authority.

This transformation didn’t happen overnight. In recent months, Chatha has pushed the CCD toward an intelligence-driven and results-oriented model. Operations have become precise, coordinated, and timely. Officers once hesitant to act against powerful criminals now move with purpose, knowing their institution stands firmly behind them. Public perception of the police — once defined by lethargy — is shifting toward confidence and credibility.

The quiet discipline, careful planning, and operational command that led to Teefi Butt’s downfall were no coincidence. They were part of a deliberate strategy shaped by Chatha’s belief in institutional strength. Officers perform best when they know their commander leads from the front — and in Chatha, the CCD has found that rare combination of authority and integrity.

Of course, questions about the nature of “encounters” will persist. Critics argue that justice must not come at the cost of due process — and they are right to demand oversight. But for a public that has endured decades under the tyranny of organised mafias, this feels like the long-delayed return of state power. Lahore, perhaps for the first time in years, feels that the writ of the government is more than just a slogan.

The ongoing hunt for Gogi Butt will be the ultimate test. If the CCD under Sohail Zafar Chatha succeeds in dismantling his network, Punjab may finally close one of the darkest chapters in its criminal history. More importantly, it will reaffirm that when institutions refuse to be intimidated, even the most feared names can fall.

There is a quiet lesson in all this — about what happens when the right hands hold the reins of power. Under Chatha’s command, Punjab’s policing has rediscovered courage through competence. This moment belongs not to rhetoric or politics, but to performance — the kind that restores public faith without seeking applause.

For far too long, the untouchables ruled Lahore. Today, their empire lies broken — and the message is clear: the state stands tall once again. At the heart of this reckoning stands Sohail Zafar Chatha — the man who made the untouchables answer to the law.