How to File an FIR in Pakistan: Registration and Quashing

By Bilal Saeed, Advocate (Punjab Bar Council), Lahore High Court and District Courts Lahore. Reviewed and last updated 28 June 2026.

This article is general information, not legal advice.

An FIR (First Information Report) is filed under section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 at your local police station by reporting the alleged crime to the Station House Officer. If police refuse registration, you may apply to the Justice of Peace under section 22-A CrPC. To quash an FIR later, you petition the High Court under section 561-A CrPC, proving the case is frivolous or an abuse of process.

Key Facts at a Glance

> Under section 154 CrPC, police must register a cognizable crime without delay when reported by the victim at the police station.

Key takeaways

• An FIR is a formal report to police of an alleged crime and is the entry point to the criminal justice system.
• You file an FIR by reporting to the Station House Officer at your local police station; no lawyer is needed for most cases.
• If police refuse to register an FIR, apply to the Justice of Peace (district Magistrate) under section 22-A CrPC within a reasonable time.
• You can petition the Lahore High Court to quash an FIR under section 561-A CrPC if it is frivolous, false, or filed to harass you.
• A criminal lawyer in Lahore is essential for section 22-A applications, section 561-A quashing petitions, and bail applications after arrest.

What is an FIR and why does it matter?

An FIR is the first document the police create when they receive information about a crime. The SHO (Station House Officer) at your local police station registers it, assigns a case number, and begins the investigation. Without an FIR, there is no formal record that the police are investigating the crime. Banks cannot freeze accounts. The prosecution cannot proceed to trial. No one can be arrested.

The FIR is the gateway to criminal justice in Pakistan. Both the victim and the accused have an interest in it: the victim wants the crime recorded and investigated; the accused has a right to know what is being alleged against them and to defend themselves.

What crimes are cognizable and which are not?

Not every report results in an FIR. The Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 divides offences into cognizable and non-cognizable. A cognizable crime (murder, theft, cheque dishonour under section 489-F, assault) allows police to investigate and arrest without a warrant. A non-cognizable crime (defamation, minor disputes) requires a magistrate's permission first. This distinction matters because if you report a non-cognizable crime, the SHO may refuse the FIR outright.

How do you register an FIR under section 154 CrPC?

Step 1: Go to the police station

Visit your nearest local police station. Ask to speak to the Station House Officer or the duty officer. Bring your CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) and any documents that support your complaint (a copy of the cheque, a medical certificate, photos of damage, phone messages, contracts).

Step 2: Report the alleged crime

Tell the officer what happened. Provide the date, time, place, names of those involved, and what crime you believe was committed. Be as detailed as you can. Give a written statement if asked. The officer will ask questions to understand whether the alleged offence is cognizable or non-cognizable.

Step 3: The SHO registers the FIR

Under section 154 of the CrPC, the SHO must register a cognizable crime without delay. The SHO will assign a case number and record the essential facts of the complaint in the FIR. You will receive a copy (sometimes called the "murasala" or the first page of the case file).

There is no fee to file an FIR.

What if the police refuse to register an FIR?

Unlawful refusal is common. An SHO may claim the crime is not cognizable, or that the evidence is weak, or (worst case) that the alleged perpetrator is connected to someone powerful. If the SHO refuses, you have a remedy under section 22-A of the CrPC.

> A Justice of Peace (Magistrate) has the power under section 22-A CrPC to order police to register an FIR or to conduct an inquiry to determine whether the crime is cognizable.

How to apply to the Justice of Peace under section 22-A

You may approach the district Magistrate (also called the Justice of Peace) with an application stating that police have refused your FIR. The Justice of Peace can:

1. Order the police to register the FIR immediately, or
2. Conduct an inquiry themselves to determine whether the crime is cognizable, and if so, direct the police to register.

An application under section 22-A is straightforward but timing matters. Do not delay. File it within a reasonable time after refusal. In our Lahore practice, the quickest path is to write a letter to the SHO (with a lawyer's help) formally requesting FIR registration and noting that you intend to petition the Justice of Peace. Often, this nudge prompts the SHO to register without requiring a court visit.

If the SHO still refuses, hire a criminal lawyer in Lahore. The lawyer will draft the section 22-A application, file it with the district court, and argue it before the magistrate. The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

How do the three registration routes compare?

How do you obtain a copy of the FIR?

An FIR is a public record. You have the right to obtain a copy. Go to the police station where the FIR is filed and ask the SHO or the investigating officer for a certified copy. There may be a small official fee set by the police; ask at the station for the current amount. The police should issue it within 3 to 5 days.

Many police stations in Lahore now allow online FIR status checks via the Punjab Police website. Log in with your case number and CNIC to check the status. Some stations provide online copies; others require you to visit in person.

If the investigating officer refuses to give you a copy, or if you suspect the FIR has been altered, file a complaint with the SHO or approach your lawyer to seek a certified copy via a court order under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908.

When and how can you quash an FIR under section 561-A?

If you are accused of a crime and believe the FIR is false, frivolous, or filed to harass you, the remedy is a petition to the High Court under section 561-A of the CrPC.

When quashing is possible

The High Court does not quash an FIR simply because you disagree with the allegations. The court will quash only if:

1. The allegations, if proven, would not amount to a cognizable crime,
2. The allegations are so frivolous or patently false that no reasonable court would convict, or
3. The FIR is an abuse of process (filed to harass rather than to prosecute a genuine crime).

This is a high threshold. You cannot quash merely because the evidence against you is weak or contested.

How to file a section 561-A petition

You must hire a High Court-admitted lawyer (not a junior advocate or a legal consultant). The lawyer will file a petition with the Lahore High Court, attach an affidavit (sworn statement) from you explaining why the FIR is false or frivolous, and include supporting documents (emails, payment receipts, witnesses, expert reports).

The complainant and the investigating officer will have a chance to respond. The court will hear arguments from both sides. Depending on the court's caseload, this process takes 2 to 6 months. There is no guarantee of success.

Example (illustrative): A cheque issuer receives news that a section 489-F FIR (cheque dishonour) has been filed against him without his knowledge. He visits the police station and reviews the FIR. He finds that the cheque was dishonoured due to a bank error, not criminal intent. He hires a High Court lawyer who files a section 561-A petition arguing that the FIR is frivolous because the complainant failed to issue a statutory notice before filing the FIR (as required by section 489-F itself), and because the evidence of criminal intent is absent. The High Court considers the petition, hears argument, and decides whether to quash.

How do you defend against a false or malicious FIR?

If someone files a false FIR against you, you have two defences: one during the investigation, and one at trial.

Defence during the investigation

The investigating officer has a duty to verify the complaint before accepting the FIR. If you can show that the allegations are clearly false, the investigator may submit a report recommending that no charges be filed. At the end of the investigation, the investigator submits a "challan" (charge sheet) to the court. If the investigator finds no evidence of guilt, they may file a "report under section 169 CrPC," which effectively closes the case without charges.

Defence at trial

If the case proceeds to trial, the burden is on the prosecution (the complainant and the investigating officer) to prove you guilty beyond reasonable doubt. You may cross-examine the complainant and their witnesses to expose inconsistencies and lies. If the prosecution fails to prove guilt, you are acquitted.

Can you file a counter-FIR for a false FIR?

If the original FIR is provably false, you may file your own FIR against the complainant under section 211 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (making a false report to police). The penalty is up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine. However, the courts are cautious: they do not allow a counter-FIR simply because the original FIR is disputed. The false FIR must be patently fabricated (e.g., the complainant admits lying, or evidence proves the event never occurred).

When do you need a criminal lawyer for FIR matters?

When filing an FIR

For most cognizable crimes, you do not need a lawyer to file an FIR. Go to the police station, report the crime, and let the SHO register. However, in sensitive cases (corruption, sexual assault, organised crime, cases involving powerful people), hiring a criminal lawyer at the outset protects you. The lawyer ensures your statement is accurate, advises you on evidence to preserve, and prepares you for the investigation ahead.

If police refuse (section 22-A)

A lawyer becomes essential. The lawyer drafts the application to the Justice of Peace, argues it before the magistrate, and increases the likelihood that the court will order registration.

For quashing (section 561-A)

You must hire a High Court-admitted lawyer. This is not optional. Only a Bar Council-registered advocate can appear before the High Court. Consultants and paralegals cannot.

After arrest

If you are arrested following the FIR, hire a criminal lawyer immediately. Your lawyer can apply for bail under section 497 CrPC (post-arrest bail) or, before arrest, under section 498 CrPC (anticipatory bail), protect your legal rights during investigation, and prepare your defence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I file an FIR online?

The Punjab Police has an online complaint portal (Punjab Police Complaint Management System), but this is for non-cognizable complaints and general grievances. For cognizable crimes, you must visit the police station in person. An in-person FIR is more likely to be registered swiftly and accurately.

How long does a police investigation last after an FIR is filed?

The investigating officer has up to 90 days to complete the investigation under the CrPC. If the case is complex, the officer may seek an extension. The maximum investigation period is 180 days. After investigation, the officer files the challan with the court. From that point, the case enters the trial phase, which can last months or years depending on the court's schedule and the complexity of the case.

What happens if I withdraw the FIR after it is filed?

Technically, you cannot "withdraw" an FIR. Once registered, it is a police/state matter. However, if you and the accused reach a settlement (for example, in a cheque dishonour case), you may tell the investigator that you wish to compromise. The investigator may then recommend that the court allow a compromise under section 345 of the CrPC. The court has discretion to accept or reject the compromise. Criminal cases involving serious crimes (murder, rape) cannot be compromised even if both parties agree.

Can the accused file a counter-FIR against me for filing the original FIR?

Yes, if they can prove the original FIR was false. However, the courts are cautious. A counter-FIR is not allowed simply because the accused disagrees with the allegations. The original FIR must be provably fabricated (as discussed above under false FIR defence).

Is there a cost to file an FIR?

No. Filing an FIR is free. There is no government fee. However, if you hire a lawyer to help you file or to deal with refusals, that lawyer will charge a fee (typically 10,000 to 30,000 rupees for an FIR matter, depending on complexity and the lawyer's experience).

What is the difference between a section 154 FIR and a section 155 entry?

Section 154 is when you report the crime to police and they register an FIR. Section 155 of the CrPC allows police to record an "entry" when they receive information about a crime from a source other than the victim (e.g., from a witness, from another officer, or from a media report). A section 155 entry can later become a proper FIR. Most cases are section 154 FIRs (victim-initiated).

How can Saeed Law Firm help?

We advise on FIR registration, represent clients in section 22-A applications before the Justice of Peace, and petition the High Court to quash FIRs under section 561-A. If you need bail, we handle post-arrest and anticipatory bail applications. Contact us for a free consultation in Lahore.

Speak to a criminal lawyer in Lahore

If you need help filing an FIR, or if police have refused your complaint, Saeed Law Firm has practised in Lahore since 1975. We offer a free initial consultation. If you have been accused and are considering a section 561-A quashing petition, a criminal lawyer in Lahore is essential. Contact us to discuss your case or call the office.

Saeed Law Firm, Y Block Main Market, Sector Y, DHA Phase 3, Lahore 54793. Phone: +92-319-4959420.