What is FIR ?

What is FIR ?

First Information Report (FIR) is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. It is a report of information that reaches the police first in point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report. It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing to the police. Even a telephonic message can be treated as an FIR. It is a duty of police to register FIR without any delay or excuses. Non-registration of FIR is an offence and can be a ground for disciplinary action against the concerned police officer.



Cognizable Offence:



A cognizable offence is one in which the police may arrest a person without warrant. They are authorized to start investigation into a cognizable case on their own and do not require any orders from the court to do so.



Non-cognizable Offence:



A non-cognizable offence is an offence in which a police officer has no authority to arrest without warrant. The police cannot investigate such an offence without the court’s permission.



Why is FIR important?



FIR is a very important document as it sets the process of criminal justice in motion. It is only after the FIR is registered in the police station that the police start investigation of the case. According to Articles 21, 22, 23, 25, 49, 50 of Qanoon-e-Shahadat Order 1984, FIR is a relevant fact.

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Who can lodge FIR?



Anyone who knows about the commission of a cognizable offence can file an FIR. It is not necessary that only the victim of the crime should file an FIR. A police officer that comes to know about a cognizable offence can file an FIR himself/herself. You can file FIR if:

a. You are the person against whom the offence has been committed.

b. You know yourself about an offence, which has been committed.

c. You have seen the offence being committed. The police may not investigate a

complaint even if you file an FIR, when:



1. The case is not serious in nature.

2. The police feel that there is not enough ground to investigate.

3. The police resources are already over-committed in investigating more serious offences. However, the police must record the reasons for not

conducting an investigation and in the latter case must inform you (Section 157 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898).



What is the procedure of filling FIR?



The procedure of filing an FIR is prescribed in Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. It is as follows:



I. When information about the commission of a cognizable offence is given

orally, the police must write it down.



II. It is your right as a person giving information or making a complaint to

demand that the information recorded by the police is read over to you.



III. Once the police have recorded the information in the FIR Register, the person

giving the information must sign it.



IV. You should sign the report only after verifying that the information recorded

by the police is as per the details given by you.



V. People who cannot read or write must put their left thumb impression on the

document after being satisfied that it is a correct record.



VI. Always ask for a copy of the FIR, if the police do not give it to you.



VII. It is your right to get a copy of FIR free of cost.



What should you mention in the FIR?



1. Your name and address;

2. Date, Time and Location of the incident you are reporting;

3. The true facts of the incident as they occurred, including the use of weapons, if any;

4. Names and description of the persons involved in the incident;

5. Names and addresses of witnesses, if any. (Format used by the police for the registration of FIR is attached).



Things you should NOT do:



1 Never file a false complaint or give wrong information to the police. You can

be prosecuted under law for giving wrong information or for misleading the

police (Section 182 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860).



2 Never exaggerate or distort facts.

3 Never make vague or unclear statements.

4 One who refuses to sign his statement of FIR can be prosecuted under section

180 of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860.

5 One who lodges a false charge of offence made with intent to injure a person can

be prosecuted under section 211 of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860.



What can you do if your FIR is not registered?



Contact Citizens-Police Liaison Committee – Central Reporting Cell Sindh Governor’s Secretariat - Karachi. Phone No. (021) 111-222-345 Fax: 5683336. CPLC Helpline 568-2222 or 136


(Courtesy: CPLC-Karachi)

Police use tear gas on Gaza protesters in Karachi

Police Sunday used tear gas and batons to disperse hundreds of angry protesters rallying against Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip.

About 2,000 people had answered the call of religious leaders to protest the Jewish state’s campaign in the Palestinian territory, torching Israeli and US flags, but mainly marching peacefully.
But the protest briefly turned violent when several hundred protesters deviated from the planned route and started heading toward the US consulate in the southern port city.
When police tried to stop the demonstrators, they were pelted with stones.
Some protesters even started fistfights with officers, prompting police to fire tear gas shells and baton-charge the crowd.
Leaders used loudspeakers to urge the protesters to disperse without further incident and the situation was quickly brought under control.
“We have not arrested anyone,” said city police Chief Wasim Ahmed.
All roads leading to the US consulate were nevertheless sealed off as a security precaution.
Demonstrations to express solidarity and support for the Palestinians were staged in several major cities in Pakistan on Sunday, with about 2,000 turning out in the capital Islamabad and several hundred more in eastern Lahore.
Several small demonstrations took place in Lahore, with more than 400 people taking part in the main procession along central Mall Road, chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans before dispersing peacefully.
“Muslim rulers must take serious note of the double standards of the West,” the secretary general of Jamaat-i-Islami party, Munawwar Hussain, told protesters.
“The US, Britain and some other European countries raised a hue and cry over the Mumbai attacks but surprisingly the world is watching the killings of innocent women and children in Gaza as silent spectators.”
Pakistan has condemned Israel’s 16-day-old offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 875 people, saying it violates the UN charter.

RTO Karachi direct tax revenue up 34% in 1HFY09

The Regional Tax Office (RTO) Karachi posted 34 percent growth in collection of direct tax revenue during the first half of the current fiscal year 2008-09. According to the provisional figures made available to Daily Times on Friday, the tax department summed up Rs 52.423 billion direct taxes during July-December FY09 as against Rs 38.968 billion in the same period of FY08. In December alone, the tax office has also witnessed 52 percent growth with Rs 13.817 billion tax collection as compared to Rs 9.109 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Tax officials in the RTO told that collection of direct taxes through various schemes particularly Tax Amnesty Scheme (TIS) contributed a significant share to the overall half yearly collection. Also, the two percent uniform direct tax on imports has made a healthy raise in this reported tax collection despite the decrease of imports in the last few months. But, the depreciation of local currency has minimised its impact.

Previously, this withholding tax was received at various rates in previous year. FBR board-in-council has set Rs 127 billion direct tax target for RTO. Therefore, it has to collect more than Rs 74 billion in the rest of the half fiscal year. Official also told that the auditing campaign of taxpayers will result in generation of healthy revenue in the remaining month.

Profit-taking erodes values at Karachi stock market; up 69 points

Profit taking eroded morning gains in leading scrips at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) but 100-index surged by 68.94 points to close at 6143.81 on fourth consecutive day while the investors were irritated over waiting for the launch of government market supporting fund.

The Karachi Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 index while on gaining spree close at 6143.81 crossing the physiological barrier of 6,000 points. Though the market landed in the positive column but it seems that optimistic signs are taking the turn again to pessimistic sentiments. The optimistic signs are obvious when bourse opened with a positive note and its both session remained positive while at mid-session the index had gained over 169 points before dropping back to 69 points at the closing session.

Volume was remained in downward trend of 145.449 million as compared to 165.193 million on last working day Tuesday, far below the average 250 million shares that was the daily routine when bourse was considered to be a best performer market in Asia in 2007.

Shares have taken U-turn after the announcement of marketing supporting fund last Thursday close. At that time the bourse had already been lost 37 per cent of its value since December 15, when regulators removed a “floor” imposed in August to stop heavy losses on the KSE-100.

Altaf Hussain saddened by deaths in Karachi fire

LONDON: MQM Chief Altaf Hussain said that he was deeply touched and grieved over the deaths of innocent people in the unfortunate incident of fire in Karachi slum area that killed as many as 38 people.In his statement from London, he prayed for the departed souls to remain in peace and harmony always. Altaf condoled the deaths of burnt people.

40 killed as fire engulfs slum area in Karachi

At least 40 people, including 22 children, were killed and over 20 others injured when a major fire ripped through two dozen hutments in Pakistan's largest city today.
The cause of the fire, which erupted a little after midnight, is yet to be determined. However, officials said it was probably caused by an illegal electrical connection that had been rigged in one of the huts.

Doctors at the Abassi Shaheed Hospital said over 20 people, most of them with serious burn injuries, were in a serious condition.

Many of the dead were caught unawares by the fire, which spread rapidly while they were asleep.

The blaze was brought under control after hectic efforts by fire fighters. Dozens of ambulances of relief organisations took the dead and injured to nearby hospitals.

Rescue teams and local residents scoured the area for survivors and pulled people out of the devastated huts. (PTI)

Rangers’ role in protecting city praised

The Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik said on Monday that the Rangers have demonstrated great efficiency in checking terrorism in Sindh, particularly in Karachi.

Speaking to the media at the passing out parade of the 13th Pakistan Rangers batch, Malik said that the police and Rangers were playing a vital role in protecting the city but added that the army may be called in if necessary. The parade took place at the Training Centre and School near Toll Plaza Super Highway. This year for the first time there were female recruits in the passing batch of Pakistan Rangers. Among the 1,100 men were 21 female rangers that were inducted after they successfully completed training. Earlier in his welcome address Pakistan Rangers Sindh Director General Major General Liaquat Ali praised the efforts of the Rangers force along the 900 kilometer border as well as in Sindh. He said that the Rangers played an important role in bringing life back to normal in the city and carried out successful anti-terrorism operations in various areas.

The passing out recruits won applause from guests, high officials from the Sindh government, army, police, and others that were present at the ceremony.