Short answer: A First Information Report (FIR) is the written record of information about a cognizable offence, made under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. To file one, you go to the police station that covers the place where the offence happened and give the officer-in-charge a clear account — orally or in writing — of what happened, who was involved, and when. The officer must reduce it to writing, read it back to you, have you sign it, and register it in the station’s prescribed book.
What is an FIR?
An FIR is the first formal piece of information a police officer receives about the commission of a cognizable offence — an offence serious enough that police may investigate without a magistrate’s order. The statutory basis is Section 154 of the CrPC, 1898. Cognizable offences include murder, rape, robbery, dacoity, kidnapping, serious theft, and most offences punishable with three or more years’ imprisonment.
If an offence is non-cognizable (e.g. simple hurt, defamation, criminal intimidation in some forms), Section 155 CrPC applies instead. The police may record the information, but they cannot investigate without an order from a magistrate.
When you can (and should) file an FIR
- A cognizable offence has been committed against you, a family member, or someone you witnessed.
- You have reasonable, specific information about what happened, where it happened, and (where possible) who was involved.
- The offence falls within the territorial jurisdiction of the police station you approach — typically the station covering the place where the offence occurred.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has clarified that a delay in registration of the FIR does not, by itself, destroy the investigation or a later trial — courts assess delay alongside other evidence, not as a standalone ground of acquittal.
Step-by-step procedure
1. Go to the right police station
Identify the police station that has jurisdiction over the location of the offence. Going to the wrong station isn’t fatal — the officer-in-charge is still duty-bound to register your complaint under Section 154 — but it slows things down because the FIR will eventually be transferred.
2. Approach the officer-in-charge
In most Pakistani police stations, the officer-in-charge is the Station House Officer (SHO) or a duty officer acting in their place. Section 154 casts an obligation on the SHO to record the substance of your information — they cannot legally refuse to note it down.
3. State the facts clearly
- What happened (the offence).
- When it happened (date and approximate time).
- Where it happened (address, landmarks).
- Who was involved — victims, suspects, witnesses, with any identifying details.
- Any property involved (stolen/damaged items, weapons, vehicles with number plates).
You can give the information orally. The officer must then reduce it to writing, either personally or under direction. You can also submit a written application — many people bring a pre-written complaint drafted with a lawyer, which helps accuracy.
4. Review, sign, and get a copy
The officer must read over the written statement to you, have you (the informant) sign it, and enter its substance in the station’s register (Form 24.5 of the Punjab Police Rules, 1934, or its equivalent in other provinces). Always ask for a copy of the FIR — you are entitled to it free of charge under the standing rules.
5. Special rule for offences against women
Where the offence alleged by a woman falls under Sections 336B (acid attack), 354 (assault with intent to outrage modesty), 354A (stripping), 376 (rape), or 509 (insult to modesty) of the Pakistan Penal Code, Section 154 CrPC requires the information to be recorded in the presence of a female investigating officer, a female family member, or any other person chosen by the complainant. Where the complainant is distressed, the statement may be recorded at her residence.
What happens after filing
Once the FIR is registered, Section 157 CrPC kicks in. The officer-in-charge must forthwith send a report of the offence to the magistrate empowered to take cognizance and must proceed in person, or depute a subordinate, to investigate the facts.
On completion of investigation, Section 173 CrPC requires the officer-in-charge to file a police report (commonly called a challan) with the magistrate, either through the Public Prosecutor. The report must set out the names of the parties, the nature of the information, and the names of anyone familiar with the case. If investigation is not completed within 14 days, an interim report is filed within three days of that expiry. You are entitled to a copy of the final report on request, before the inquiry or trial begins.
What if the police refuse to register your FIR?
Refusal to register an FIR over a clearly cognizable offence is unlawful. Pakistani superior courts have repeatedly held that the SHO’s statutory duty under Section 154 CrPC is mandatory — the word “shall” is deliberate, and an officer cannot hold an inquiry to test truthfulness before registering.
If the police refuse, you have options:
- Escalate within the police: complain in writing to the SSP/DSP with a copy of your application.
- Petition the Justice of the Peace: under Sections 22-A and 22-B CrPC, the ex officio Justice of the Peace (usually a Sessions Judge) can direct the police to register the FIR where a cognizable offence is disclosed.
- Writ jurisdiction: in urgent cases, a constitutional petition to the High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution can compel registration.
Pakistani High Courts have clarified that the police cannot refuse to record information based on a preliminary inquiry into its truthfulness — once a cognizable offence is disclosed, registration is mandatory. However, a police officer may conduct a short preliminary inquiry after recording the substance in the daily diary to decide whether to move to formal FIR registration in the FIR register, per Rule 24.5 of the Police Rules, 1934.
Non-cognizable offences — a different path
If the offence is non-cognizable (for example, simple hurt under Section 337A(i) PPC or criminal trespass under Section 447), the police will enter the information under Section 155 CrPC and refer you to the magistrate. The police cannot investigate such offences without a magistrate’s order. In practice, many complainants file a private complaint under Section 200 CrPC directly with the magistrate for non-cognizable matters.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file an FIR online in Pakistan?
Several provinces now offer online FIR / e-FIR portals for limited categories of offences, typically property crimes (vehicle theft, mobile theft). These are supplementary — they do not replace the statutory right to walk into a station under Section 154 CrPC. Verify your province’s portal (Punjab Police Khidmat Markaz, Sindh Police, Islamabad Police’s e-FIR service, etc.) before relying on it for serious offences.
Is there a time limit to file an FIR?
No statutory time limit. The CrPC does not impose a deadline for registration. Courts treat delay as a factor in evaluating the prosecution’s case, not as a bar to registration. That said, the longer the delay, the more thoroughly you should document why.
What’s the difference between an FIR and a police complaint?
An FIR is the statutory record of information about a cognizable offence under Section 154 CrPC — once registered, it triggers police investigation automatically. A complaint is a broader term: it can mean a written application to the police, the magistrate (Section 200 CrPC), or another authority, and doesn’t itself trigger the Section 157 investigation machinery.
Can I withdraw an FIR?
Not unilaterally. Once an FIR is registered, the case belongs to the State. You can move the court for quashment under Section 561-A CrPC (or Article 199 of the Constitution), or a compromise can be recorded in compoundable offences under Section 345 CrPC — but the final call rests with the court or, where the offence is non-compoundable, the prosecution.
Next steps
This guide is an explainer, not legal advice. If you’re dealing with a real incident — particularly one involving physical harm, a cognizable offence against a vulnerable person, or a refusal by the police — speak to a qualified Pakistani advocate. QanoonX can help you research the relevant sections and judgments, but a practising lawyer should guide your specific situation.
Researched using the QanoonX legal corpus. Primary statute: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Sections 154, 155, 157, 173). Judicial guidance drawn from Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Court judgments on FIR registration duties and delay.
Related reading
This article is part of the Criminal and Civil Procedure in Pakistan pillar. Continue with:
