How to Register an FIR in Pakistan — and What to Do if Police Refuse
What an FIR is under Section 154 CrPC, how to get one registered, and the remedy before the Justice of Peace under Sections 22-A and 22-B when police refuse.
A First Information Report (FIR) is the information about the commission of a cognizable offence recorded by the officer in charge of a police station under Section 154 of the CrPC. It sets the criminal law in motion.
Cognizable vs non-cognizable offences
A cognizable offence is one in which police may arrest without a warrant (Schedule II of the CrPC). For such offences the police must record an FIR. For non-cognizable offences, the information is entered in the station diary under Section 155 and the matter is referred to the Magistrate.
How to lodge an FIR
- Go to the police station having jurisdiction over the place of occurrence.
- Give the information orally or in writing to the officer in charge. Oral information must be reduced to writing and read over to you.
- Include the date, time and place of occurrence, what happened, the names or descriptions of the accused, witnesses and any weapon or property involved.
- Sign the report and obtain a free copy of the FIR with its number.
Accuracy matters: courts give weight to what is stated in the FIR, and unexplained delay or later improvements can weaken the case.
If the police refuse — Justice of Peace
Sessions Judges and nominated Additional Sessions Judges act as Justices of Peace. Under Section 22-A(6) CrPC, an aggrieved person may apply to the Justice of Peace, who can issue appropriate directions to the police concerned, including on non-registration of a case. A petition typically annexes the written complaint given to police and explains the refusal.
After registration
The police investigate and ultimately submit a report under Section 173 CrPC (challan) to the court. The complainant can follow up with the investigating officer and, if needed, approach higher police officers or the court.
Tip for advocates
Record the FIR number, police station and sections in the case file from day one. In AOMS, criminal cases have dedicated FIR fields, so you can search any matter by FIR number in seconds.
Sources & references
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 — Sections 22-A, 22-B, 154, 155
- Police Order, 2002 / applicable provincial police law
Frequently asked questions
Can police refuse to register an FIR?
If information discloses a cognizable offence, the officer in charge is bound to record it under Section 154 CrPC. If they refuse, you can apply to the Justice of Peace (Sessions Judge / Additional Sessions Judge) under Section 22-A CrPC.
Is a copy of the FIR free?
Yes. Section 154 requires a copy of the information as recorded to be given to the informant free of cost.