The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a landmark ruling to modernize police documentation, banning the use of colonial-era honorifics such as “Bakhidmat Janab” for Station House Officers (SHOs) in First Information Reports (FIRs).
The court also prohibited the use of the term “complainant” for ordinary citizens filing FIRs, mandating instead that they be referred to as “informants.” The ruling warns of strict action against police officers who delay FIR registration, noting that any such delay could lead to legal consequences under the Penal Code.
Justice Salahuddin Panwhar, who authored the ruling, emphasized that police officers are public servants, not masters of citizens. As a result, FIRs will now refer to the SHO simply as “Mr. SHO” or “SHO” without deferential language, and citizens lodging reports will no longer be called “faryadi,” a term implying supplication rather than a legal right.
The decision also reaffirmed the court’s stance against delays in FIR registration, citing the risk of evidence being lost. The ruling was issued alongside the rejection of an appeal in a Tando Ghulam Ali murder case.
The Supreme Court’s directive marks a significant step toward ending archaic and hierarchical language in Pakistan’s policing system and promoting a citizen-friendly approach.
