Lahore High Court Orders, Clean Character Certificate After Acquittal – Police Barred from Citing Old FIRs
📰 لاہور ہائی کورٹ کا اہم فیصلہ: بری ہونے کے بعد پولیس کردار سرٹیفکیٹ میں پرانے مقدمے کا ذکر غیر قانونی قرار
✍️ تحریر:
لاہور ہائی کورٹ نے ایک اہم اور اصولی فیصلہ دیتے ہوئے قرار دیا ہے کہ کسی شہری کو جب عدالت باعزت بری کر دے اور وہ فیصلہ قانونی طور پر حتمی ہو جائے، تو پولیس یا دیگر سرکاری ادارے اسے مزید مجرم ظاہر نہیں کر سکتے، نہ ہی اس کی بریت کے باوجود پرانے مقدمے کا حوالہ کسی پولیس کردار سرٹیفکیٹ میں دیا جا سکتا ہے۔
🔹 پس منظر
درخواست گزار عبدالرحمٰن فریاد کے خلاف پتنگ بازی کے مقدمے (FIR No.1254/2024) کے تحت کارروائی ہوئی، تاہم عدالت نے 20 دسمبر 2024 کو اسے باعزت بری کر دیا۔ بعد ازاں جب اس نے بیرون ملک سفر کے لیے پولیس کردار سرٹیفکیٹ حاصل کرنے کی کوشش کی تو جاری کردہ سرٹیفکیٹ میں اس پرانے مقدمے کا ذکر موجود تھا، جو کہ اس کی بریت کے بعد بھی اس کے کردار پر سوال اٹھا رہا تھا۔
🔹 عدالت کا مؤقف
معزز جسٹس ابھر گل خان نے فیصلہ دیتے ہوئے فرمایا:
بریت کے بعد فرد کو بے گناہ تصور کیا جاتا ہے۔
جب عدالت کا فیصلہ چیلنج نہ کیا جائے، تو وہ قانونی طور پر حتمی حیثیت اختیار کرتا ہے۔
پولیس کو اختیار ہے کہ وہ اندرونی انتظامی مقاصد کے لیے ریکارڈ رکھے، لیکن اسے کسی شہری کے خلاف استعمال کرنا غیر قانونی ہے۔
عدالت نے واضح کیا کہ ایسی کوئی بھی کارروائی جس سے بریت کے باوجود شہری کو مجرم ظاہر کیا جائے، وہ آئین پاکستان کے تحت دیے گئے وقار، انصاف اور بنیادی انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزی ہے۔
🔹 حوالہ دیا گیا مقدمہ
فیصلے میں لاہور ہائیکورٹ کا ہی ایک سابقہ مقدمہ PLD 2023 Lahore 512 (Zulfiqar Ali case) بھی حوالہ کے طور پر دیا گیا، جس میں ہدایت کی گئی تھی کہ:
ہر مقدمے کی حتمی حیثیت (بریت، سزا، ختم یا واپس لینا) کو پولیس ریکارڈ میں واضح طور پر درج کیا جائے۔
PSRMS میں بھی اس کا اندراج لازمی ہو۔
🔹 حکم عدالت
عدالت نے پٹیشن منظور کرتے ہوئے حکومتِ پنجاب کو ہدایت دی کہ عبدالرحمٰن فریاد کو نیا پولیس کردار سرٹیفکیٹ جاری کیا جائے، جس میں پرانے مقدمے کا کوئی ذکر نہ ہو۔
فیصلہ کی کاپی چیف سیکریٹری پنجاب اور آئی جی پنجاب کو بھیجی جائے تاکہ اس پر مکمل عمل درآمد کیا جا سکے۔
⚖️ اہم قانونی نکات
1. ہائی کورٹ نے قرار دیا کہ بریت کے بعد کسی شہری کو مجرم ظاہر کرنا بنیادی حقوق کی خلاف ورزی ہے۔
2. ہائی کورٹ نے قرار دیا کہ کردار سرٹیفکیٹ میں ایسے مقدمے کا ذکر نہیں ہو سکتا جو بریت پر ختم ہو چکا ہو۔
3. ہائی کورٹ نے قرار دیا کہ پولیس ریکارڈ صرف داخلی مقاصد کے لیے استعمال ہو سکتا ہے، نہ کہ عوامی بدنامی کے لیے۔
📌 نتیجہ
یہ فیصلہ نہ صرف ایک انفرادی شہری کے حق میں آیا بلکہ آئندہ کے لیے ایک مثالی نظیر بھی قائم کر دی گئی کہ پولیس اور دیگر ادارے بریت کے بعد کسی شہری کے خلاف پرانا الزام دہرانے کے مجاز نہیں۔ یہ فیصلہ قانون، انصاف اور شہری وقار کے لیے ایک اہم قدم ہے۔
Must read Judgement
Form No. HCJD/C-121
ORDER SHEET
IN THE LAHORE HIGH COURT LAHORE
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Writ Petition No.40844 of 2025
Abdul Rehman Faryad Vs. Government of Punjab etc.
Sr. No. of order of proceeding
Date of order of proceeding
Order with signature of Judge, and that of Parties of counsel, where
18.07.2025
Rao Abdul Jabbar, Advocate for the petitioner.
necessary
Mr. Muhammad Nasir Chohan, Additional Advocate General, Punjab with Asad Inspector.
Through the instant petition filed under Article 199 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, the petitioner, Abdul Rehman Faryad, has challenged the legality and validity of the letter/order dated 03.06.2025 whereby Home Secretary, Government of the Punjab (respondent No.1) declined his request for the issuance of a Character Certificate without reflecting the details of a criminal case in which he was already acquitted.
2. Precisely stated the facts as set forth in the memorandum of the present petition are that the petitioner, Abdul Rehman Faryad, was implicated in a criminal case bearing FIR No.1254/2024, registered at Police Station Nawan Kot, Lahore, under Sections 3 & 4 of the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2001. Upon the completion of investigation, a report under Section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 (Cr.P.C.) was submitted, and charge was formally framed against the petitioner. However, the trial culminated in the petitioner's acquittal under Section 249-A Cr.P.C., through an order dated 20.12.2024, passed by the Magistrate Section 30, Lahore. Subsequently, the petitioner approached the respondents for the issuance of a Police Character Certificate, which he required in connection with his plan to travel to the United Kingdom. A certificate was issued to him on 13.03.2025 by
the Superintendent of Police (Security), Lahore. However,
W.P.No.40844 of 2025
3
Police Station Record Management System according to the competent authority approved new format of Police Character Certificate which is effective from 21.02.2025."
3. Arguments heard. Record perused.
4. A careful scrutiny of the record reveals that the petitioner, along with his co-accused Muhammad Osama, was named in the First Information Report (FIR) for allegedly being found in possession of kites and related material on 06.04.2024 at about 8:00 a.m., while traveling in a rickshaw. After the investigation, the case was placed before the Magistrate Section 30, Lahore. Upon a thorough review of the evidence and case file, the learned Magistrate found no incriminating material against the petitioner or his co-accused. Consequently, in exercise of powers under Section 249-A, Cr.P.C., the Magistrate acquitted both individuals of the charges through an order dated 20.12.2024. It is pertinent to note that the allegations levelled against the petitioner do not involve moral turpitude, nor do they relate to any offence against the State. Furthermore, the case record is completely silent as to any appeal or revision filed by the State challenging the acquittal. Therefore, the acquittal order has attained finality in the eye of law. In these circumstances, it would be legally unjustified to draw any adverse inference or attach any stigma to the petitioner merely based on the registration of an FIR or the fact that a trial was conducted, when such proceedings have conclusively ended in an unchallenged acquittal. Hence, the presumption of innocence which stands supported by the acquittal must be given full effect.
5. Learned law officer, while referring to the Punjab Amendment to Rule 5 of Chapter XXIV of the Police Rules, 1934, introduced through Notification No.14/EXEC-III dated 2nd of January 2024, contended that the First Information Report Register is now required to be maintained in digital form
W.P.No.40844 of 2025
4
on a central server, located at a place designated by the Provincial Police Officer. On this basis, it was argued that the criminal record, including details of involvement of an accused in any FIR, cannot be removed even in cases where the accused has been acquitted. In addressing this submission, it ought to be noted that law enforcement agencies have the administrative authority to maintain internal records of reported incidents, including FIRs, for various legitimate purposes. These purposes include, but are not limited to, preserving institutional memory, conducting statistical or trend analysis, and facilitating coordination and information-sharing between various government and law enforcement entities. The retention of such data, so long as it is confined to lawful administrative use and is not disclosed or misused in a manner prejudicial to the rights of the individual, cannot be construed as a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. This view finds further support from the case reported as Zulfiqar Ali v. Ex-officio Justice of Peace and others (PLD 2023 Lahore 512), wherein this Court gave certain guidelines for presenting the criminal history of an accused in the courts, the relevant portion of the judgment is reproduced below for reference:-
"(i). While producing the record pertaining to the criminal history of any petitioner/accused, the list must show the status of criminal case(s) against him. Status. connotes whether such case is still pending or had culminated in acquittal, conviction, discharge or withdrawal.
(ii). Fate of every criminal case must be entered in the relevant Police Register maintained under the Punjab Police Rules, 1934, immediately after the pronouncement of judgment/order and the same should also be entered in PSRMS.
to (iii). The final fate of a criminal case is always decided by the court, therefore, better coordination mechanism must be promptly convey the judgment/order of the court to the police station concerned for its entry in the relevant record. evolved/improved
(iv). Instructions issued to the District Heads of Punjab Police regarding the submission of criminal history of the
W.P.No.40844 of 2025
6
From above, it can be gathered that once a person has been acquitted and the order has attained finality, any act by public authorities that continues to associate that individual with a criminal allegation undermines not only the acquittal itself but also the foundational principles of fairness, dignity, and presumption of innocence. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to a Police Character Certificate that reflects his acquittal and the absence of any subsisting criminal liability.
7. In view of the foregoing discussion and legal position, this petition is hereby allowed. As a consequence thereof, Home Secretary, Government of the Punjab (respondent No.1) is directed to ensure the issuance of a Police Character Certificate in favour of the petitioner, which accurately reflects his present legal status. The said certificate shall exclude and omit any reference whatsoever to FIR No.1254/2024, registered at Police Station Nawan Kot, Lahore, in the light of the petitioner's lawful acquittal and the absence of any existing criminal liability.
8. Copy of this order be transmitted to the Inspector General of Police Punjab and the Chief Secretary Punjab, to ensure its strict implementation in light of the directions and observations
given above.
(ABHER GUL KHAN) JUDGE
APPROVED FOR REPORTING
JUDGE
This order was announced
On 18.07.2025, dictated, prepared and signed on
24.07.2025
W.P.No.40844 of 2025
From above, it can be gathered that once a person has been acquitted and the order has attained finality, any act by public authorities that continues to associate that individual with a criminal allegation undermines not only the acquittal itself but also the foundational principles of fairness, dignity, and presumption of innocence. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to a Police Character Certificate that reflects his acquittal and the absence of any subsisting criminal liability.
7. In view of the foregoing discussion and legal position, this petition is hereby allowed. As a consequence thereof. Home Secretary, Government of the Punjab (respondent No.1) is directed to ensure the issuance of a Police Character Certificate in favour of the petitioner, which accurately reflects his present legal status. The said certificate shall exclude and omit any reference whatsoever to FIR No.1254/2024, registered at Police Station Nawan Kot, Lahore, in the light of the petitioner's lawful acquittal and the absence of any existing criminal liability.
8. Copy of this order be transmitted to the Inspector General of Police Punjab and the Chief Secretary Punjab, to ensure its strict implementation in light of the directions and observations given above.
(ABHER GUL KHAN) JUDGE
APPROVED FOR REPORTING
JUDGE
announced This onder Os 18.07.2005, dictated, prepared and signed on 24.07.2025 Najum
Lahore High Court Orders Clean Character Certificate After Acquittal – Police Barred from Citing Old FIRs