Supreme Court of Pakistan orders immediate FIR registration

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued directives regarding the immediate registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) upon the reporting of cognizable offenses. The court ruled that delays in registering cases should not be viewed merely as irregularities; instead, officials involved in such delays may face disciplinary action. The court noted that trial courts can take legal action against delays, and if documentation proves a delay occurred, the matter can be referred to the Inspector General (IG) for departmental proceedings. High-ranking officers, including the IG, SP Investigation, and DPO, could face consequences for failing to register cases promptly.

Additionally, the court directed the Prosecutor General of Sindh to submit details of murder cases from January 1, 2025, to the present, specifically highlighting cases where registration was delayed by more than 24 hours. The court warned that failure to comply with previous orders in the Muhammad Bakhsh case would result in contempt of court proceedings.

In a separate matter, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi expressed displeasure toward lawyer Muhammad Umar Ejaz Gilani for failing to appear in the Supreme Court due to concurrent hearings in the Federal Constitutional Court. The Chief Justice instructed bar leaders to convey that lawyers should prioritize Supreme Court hearings if they are scheduled first. The court subsequently adjourned the lawyer's case until Monday.