The First Information Report is the very first step in a criminal case in Pakistan - the document that sets the police machinery in motion. Yet many people are turned away at the counter, told to "come back later", or asked to settle the matter privately. The law is clear that the police cannot do this for a cognizable offence. This guide explains how to lodge an FIR correctly, what information to include so it holds up later, and the exact remedies available if a Station House Officer (SHO) refuses to register your complaint.
What is an FIR and when can you file one
An FIR is the written record the police prepare when they first receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. It is governed by Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. The law requires that the information - whether given orally or in writing - be reduced to writing, read over to the person giving it, and signed by them. The substance is then entered in the police station's FIR register.
An FIR can be lodged by the victim, a witness, a family member, or anyone who has knowledge of the offence. You do not need to have seen the crime yourself, and you do not need a lawyer to be present - though legal advice helps you frame the report properly. Crucially, the SHO has no power to conduct a pre-registration inquiry to decide whether your information is true or false. Where a cognizable offence is disclosed, registration is mandatory; the police test the truth of the allegations later, during investigation.
Cognizable vs non-cognizable offences
Whether an FIR is registered at all depends on the type of offence. This is the single most important distinction to understand before you approach the police:
| Feature | Cognizable offence | Non-cognizable offence |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Murder, robbery, rape, kidnapping, dacoity, grievous hurt | Simple hurt, defamation, public nuisance, criminal trespass |
| Police arrest | Without a warrant | Warrant / Magistrate's order needed |
| How it is recorded | FIR under Section 154 | Entry under Section 155 (NC register) |
| Investigation | Police act on their own | Only with a Magistrate's order |
Key point: No authority, not even the officer in charge of a police station, has the power to refuse to record an FIR when the information reveals a cognizable offence. Registration must be followed by investigation according to law - not the other way around.
How to file an FIR: step by step
The process itself is straightforward and completely free of cost:
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1. Go to the right station | Approach the police station in whose jurisdiction the offence took place. If unsure, you may still report at any station (a "Zero FIR"), which is then transferred to the correct one. |
| 2. Give your information | State what happened to the SHO or duty officer, orally or in writing. Be factual and chronological. |
| 3. Verify the record | The officer writes it down and reads it back to you. Correct anything inaccurate before you sign. |
| 4. Sign the FIR | Sign or place your thumb impression once satisfied it is accurate. |
| 5. Collect your free copy | You are entitled to a copy of the registered FIR at no charge. Keep it safely. |
There is no filing fee at any stage. If anyone demands money to record your FIR, that is unlawful - note it and raise it in your escalation.
What to include in your FIR
A well-drafted FIR protects your case at trial. Vague or incomplete reports are easy to attack later. Make sure yours records:
- The date, exact time and place of the incident;
- The names and descriptions of the accused, if known - or a clear physical description if not;
- The names of witnesses present;
- A clear, chronological account of what happened, without exaggeration;
- Details of any injuries, weapons or property involved, and their value;
- A reasonable explanation for any delay in reporting.
There is no fixed statutory deadline to lodge an FIR, but a long unexplained delay can weaken your credibility in court. Report as soon as you reasonably can, and if there was a genuine reason for delay - injury, fear, distance - state it plainly in the report.
What to do if the police refuse
If the SHO turns you away, do not give up - and do not argue at the counter. Build a paper trail and escalate through a well-established ladder of remedies. Each rung strengthens the next:
| Remedy | Legal basis | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Written application to SP / DPO | Section 154(3) CrPC | You send the substance of your complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police / District Police Officer, who may order registration or investigate personally. Keep courier and delivery receipts. |
| 2. Petition to Justice of Peace | Section 22-A & 22-B CrPC | File before the Ex-Officio Justice of Peace (a Sessions Judge). If the facts disclose a cognizable offence, the Justice of Peace directs the police to record your statement under Section 154 and register the FIR. |
| 3. Private complaint | Section 200 CrPC | You go directly to a Magistrate, who records your statement on oath and can take cognizance without an FIR. |
| 4. Constitutional petition | Article 199 | Approach the High Court in its writ jurisdiction to compel the police to perform their statutory duty. |
The Section 22-A route is the most commonly used and effective. Remember: the Justice of Peace does not decide the merits of your case or weigh the evidence - the role is simply to check whether the facts you present disclose a cognizable offence and, if so, to direct registration. For help preparing the written applications and petition, our criminal law team can draft and file them for you.
Your rights during and after
Whether you are the complainant or the person named in an FIR, the law gives you important protections:
- Right to a lawyer under Article 10 of the Constitution;
- Right to silence - a confession made to the police is inadmissible under Articles 38 and 39 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984;
- Right to a medical examination under Section 54-A CrPC;
- Protection from wrongful arrest through pre-arrest bail under Section 498 CrPC and post-arrest bail under Section 497 CrPC.
If you have been named in a false or malicious FIR, you have remedies too - including seeking bail before arrest and applying to quash the FIR. Read our detailed guides on pre-arrest (anticipatory) bail and your rights during a police investigation to understand what comes next.
Online FIR: which provinces allow it and how to file
Several provincial police forces now operate online reporting facilities, and the terminology matters more than it looks. Some portals register a genuine FIR; others accept a complaint or report that a station must then act on. Establish which one you are using, because only the first starts the criminal process.
| What the portal does | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Registers an FIR directly | The criminal process has started; note the FIR number |
| Accepts a complaint for onward action | A station must still register the FIR |
| Logs a report for record only | Useful evidence of reporting, but not an FIR |
| Routes to a specialised wing | Cybercrime and similar matters go to the FIA |
Practical steps if you use an online facility:
- Use the official provincial police website, typed directly rather than reached through a search advertisement.
- Record the reference number issued on submission, and screenshot the confirmation.
- Ask explicitly whether an FIR has been registered or whether it is a complaint awaiting action.
- Follow up at the station having jurisdiction if no FIR number is issued.
- Obtain the free copy of the FIR once registered.
- Keep the online submission as dated evidence that you reported when you did.
Online facilities vary by province and are periodically changed or replaced, so confirm the current position with the police force for your province rather than relying on a link found elsewhere. For online financial fraud and offences committed through electronic means, the route is the FIA cybercrime wing rather than a provincial portal - see filing an FIA cybercrime complaint.
Police refused to register your FIR? Section 22-A explained
Where a station house officer will not register an FIR in a cognizable offence, there is a defined escalation route and it is used constantly in practice.
- Apply in writing to the SHO and keep a copy with proof of delivery.
- Escalate to a senior police officer under section 154(3) if that fails.
- Petition the Justice of Peace - the ex-officio Justice of Peace under section 22-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, generally the Sessions Judge.
- Attach the evidence of your earlier applications and their refusal or non-response.
- Attend the hearing - the police are called to explain.
- Obtain the direction and take it to the station.
- Follow up on registration and obtain the FIR copy.
The written applications at steps one and two are what make the petition work. A petition saying the police verbally refused, with nothing on paper, is materially weaker than one attaching a dated application the station never answered - so put every request in writing from the beginning, even where you expect it to be refused.
The Justice of Peace considers whether a cognizable offence is disclosed, not whether you will ultimately succeed. That is a lower threshold than proving the case, which is why the route is effective where a station has simply declined to act. Take advice where the matter is complex or the other side is already litigating - see your rights during a police investigation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to lodge an FIR?
No, you can lodge it yourself. But a lawyer helps you frame the report accurately and is essential if the police refuse and you need to file a Section 22-A petition or a private complaint.
Can an FIR be lodged against unknown persons?
Yes. If you do not know the culprits' names, describe them and the offence as clearly as you can. The police then investigate to identify the accused.
What is a Zero FIR?
A Zero FIR can be registered at any police station regardless of where the offence occurred; it is later transferred to the station with proper jurisdiction. It exists so victims are never turned away over jurisdiction.
Is registering an FIR free?
Yes. There is no fee to lodge an FIR, and you are entitled to a free copy. Never pay to have one recorded.
How long does the Justice of Peace take to order an FIR?
It varies by district and caseload, and timelines are not fixed by statute. A properly documented application with proof of prior approaches to the police moves faster.
Can I file an FIR online in Pakistan?
Several provincial police forces operate online facilities, but establish whether the portal registers an FIR directly or only accepts a complaint that a station must still act on. Only the first starts the criminal process.
What is a Section 22-A petition?
A petition to the ex-officio Justice of Peace, generally the Sessions Judge, where the police refuse to register an FIR in a cognizable offence. The court considers whether an offence is disclosed and can direct registration.
What should I do before filing a 22-A petition?
Apply in writing to the SHO keeping proof of delivery, then escalate in writing to a senior officer under section 154(3). A petition attaching dated written applications is far stronger than one alleging a verbal refusal.
Sources & official references
- Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 FIR registration, Section 22-A and criminal procedure
- Punjab Police online reporting and complaint facilities
- Supreme Court of Pakistan judgments and case information