Filing an FIR — and What to Do When Police Refuse in Pakistan
Reviewed by the Commoner Law editorial team. Sources: pakistancode.gov.pk, Punjab/Sindh/KP/Balochistan provincial codes, Supreme Court of Pakistan, FBR, EOBI, SBP, NEPRA, OGRA, PMDC, FIA, and provincial Healthcare Commissions. Provincial variations cite Punjab/Sindh/KP/Balochistan Acts and ICT-specific ordinances. Written in plain English with everyday Urdu legal terms (FIR, qabza, khula, NTN, CNIC) for a general audience — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The First Information Report (FIR) is the trigger that turns a complaint into a criminal investigation. Section 154 of the CrPC says that information about a cognizable offence (every offence where police can arrest without a warrant, which covers most serious crimes) must be reduced to writing and signed by the informant, and a copy must be given free of charge.
In real life, SHOs (Station House Officers) refuse FIRs all the time. Too much work, the accused is well-connected, the case looks hard. The CrPC has a built-in fix: section 22-A. Every Sessions Judge (and the Additional Sessions Judges authorised by the High Court) sits as Justice of Peace with power to direct the SHO to register an FIR. The application is simple, name and address, brief facts, sections of law, and the FIR refusal. The JoP usually issues a direction within 1–3 hearings if your facts disclose a cognizable offence.
- Cognizable vs non-cognizable. The First Schedule of the CrPC marks each offence. Murder, robbery, kidnapping, rape, dowry death, dishonour killing, dacoity, cheating above Rs 1,000, hurt, and almost every PPC offence carrying 3+ years are cognizable — police must register and investigate. Non-cognizable offences (defamation, simple hurt, criminal trespass) need a court complaint instead.
- Place of registration. File at the police station where the offence occurred. If the offence happened across multiple jurisdictions, any of them can register. A ‘zero FIR' — temporary registration at the wrong station — must be transferred to the proper one without delay.
- Multiple FIRs against the same incident are routinely filed by police as cross-cases. The Supreme Court has held (most recently in Sughran Bibi v. State, PLD 2018 SC 595) that ordinarily one FIR per incident is the rule, though both sides often manage to register their own anyway.
The application for a section 22-A direction is itself a constitutional safeguard. Courts have repeatedly emphasised that refusal to register an FIR violates the complainant's fundamental right to access of justice under Article 4 and 9 of the Constitution.
When does it apply?
- You're a victim or witness of a cognizable offence in Pakistan.
- You've gone to the police station with jurisdiction and either an SHO has refused to register, or has registered a watered-down version (less serious sections than the facts disclose).
- You can describe the offence, the accused (named or unknown), the time, and the place.
What to do if the SHO refuses to register your FIR
- Go to the police station with jurisdiction. Take a written application addressed to the SHO with all material facts, time, place, sections of law if you know them, and signatures of any witnesses. Hand it in over the counter.
- Demand the daily diary entry number. Even if the FIR isn't registered, your application should be entered in the Daily Diary (Roznamcha) — that entry is your proof of attempt.
- If FIR is registered, take a free copy under CrPC § 154 fourth proviso. Check that the sections and facts match what you said; ask for amendment if not.
- If refused, go directly to a wakeel and file a section 22-A application before the Justice of Peace at the Sessions Court. Attach the Roznamcha entry, your written complaint, and any evidence (photos, medical reports, statements).
- For sensitive cases (rape, dowry death, dishonour killing), demand registration by a female SHO if available; under the Anti-Rape Act 2021, women police are mandatory for victim statements where possible.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't accept "come back tomorrow." The CrPC mandates immediate registration of cognizable cases. Tomorrow becomes never.
- Don't pay any "FIR fee." There is no fee. A copy of the FIR is free under the statute. Anyone asking for money is committing extortion under PPC § 384.
- Don't agree to a private settlement in cognizable, non-compoundable offences (murder, rape, dishonour killing). The State is the prosecutor in such cases — your "forgiveness" will not stop trial.
- Don't sign anything you haven't read. Have someone literate read each line if needed. Coerced thumbprints on blank papers happen.
Use the province bar at the top of the page to choose your province — you'll see how provincial law differs from the federal baseline.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the police required to register an FIR for every complaint?
Only for cognizable offences. Section 154 CrPC mandates registration when the facts disclose a cognizable offence. For non-cognizable offences, the complaint goes into the Daily Diary and you go to a Magistrate with a private complaint under section 200 CrPC.
Can I register an FIR online?
Punjab and Sindh now allow online FIR registration through the police citizen portals (e.g. punjabpolice.gov.pk and sindhpolice.gov.pk) for some categories like vehicle theft and missing items. For serious offences, in-person registration is still standard.
How fast does the section 22-A application work?
Usually 1–3 hearings, often within 2–4 weeks. The Justice of Peace cannot order registration without examining whether the facts disclose a cognizable offence, so come prepared with your written complaint and any documentary evidence.
When does filing an fir — and what to do when police refuse apply?
You're a victim or witness of a cognizable offence in Pakistan.You've gone to the police station with jurisdiction and either an SHO has refused to register, or has registered a watered-down version (less serious sections than the facts disclose).You can describe the offence, the accused (named or unknown), the time, and the place.
The SHO won't register my FIR — what do I do in Pakistan?
Go to the police station with jurisdiction. Take a written application addressed to the SHO with all material facts, time, place, sections of law if you know them, and signatures of any witnesses. Hand it in over the counter.Demand the daily diary entry number. Even if the FIR isn't registered, your application should be entered in the Daily Diary (Roznamcha) — that entry is your proof of attempt.If FIR is registered, take a free copy under CrPC § 154 fourth proviso. Check that the sections and facts match what you said; ask for amendment if not.If refused, go directly to a wakeel and file a s...
What mistakes should I avoid with filing an fir — and what to do when police refuse?
Don't accept "come back tomorrow." The CrPC mandates immediate registration of cognizable cases. Tomorrow becomes never.Don't pay any "FIR fee." There is no fee. A copy of the FIR is free under the statute. Anyone asking for money is committing extortion under PPC § 384.Don't agree to a private settlement in cognizable, non-compoundable offences (murder, rape, dishonour killing). The State is the prosecutor in such cases — your "forgiveness" will not stop trial.Don't sign anything you haven't read. Have someone literate read each line if needed. Coerced thumbprint...
Filing an FIR — and What to Do When Police Refuse in other states
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