Law enforcement is a critical component of any functional society, and one of the key tools used in modern policing is the First Information Report (FIR). With the advent of technology, checking FIRs has become more accessible than ever, particularly in Pakistan where you can now do so online using your CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) number.
Understand the CNIC and Its Role in FIR
The CNIC, or Computerized National Identity Card, is at the heart of this process. Let’s understand what a CNIC is and how it plays a critical role in checking FIRs online in Pakistan.
Description of CNIC
The CNIC is a government-issued identification document in Pakistan. It is a computerized card that contains essential information about the individual, such as their name, father’s name, unique national identity number, family tree linkages, and biometric data. Every Pakistani citizen who is 18 years and above is required to have a CNIC.
Role of CNIC in FIR Checking
The role of the CNIC in checking FIR status is pivotal. It serves as a unique identifier for each citizen, enabling efficient search and retrieval of FIR records associated with the CNIC holder. When you enter your CNIC number on the online FIR checking portal, the system scans through the database to find any FIR filed against or by the CNIC holder. Hence, the CNIC serves as a key to unlock your FIR status information.
How to Check FIR Online by CNIC in Different Pakistani Cities
Now that we understand the role of CNIC in FIR checking let’s explore the process of checking FIR online using CNIC in various cities across Pakistan including Lahore, Punjab, Multan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi.
Lahore: Process and Steps
The Lahore Police has made the FIR checking process quite seamless. Simply visit their official website and click on the ‘Complaints’ section. Here, enter your CNIC number in the search bar and click on ‘Search’. If an FIR has been filed using your CNIC number, its status will be displayed.
Punjab: Process and Steps
The Punjab Police also offers a similar service. Visit their website and navigate to the ‘Services’ section. Select the ‘Online FIR Check’ option, enter your CNIC number, and hit ‘Search’. The subsequent page will display the status of any FIRs associated with your CNIC number.
Multan: Process and Steps
For residents of Multan, the process is pretty straightforward as well. Visit the Multan Police’s official website, go to the ‘Services’ section, click on ‘Check FIR Status’, enter your CNIC number and click on ‘Search’ to view the status of FIRs linked to your CNIC.
Islamabad: Process and Steps
The Islamabad Police has a dedicated portal for FIR checking. Visit their website, navigate to the ‘FIR Check’ section, enter your CNIC number and press ‘Enter’. The status of any FIR associated with your CNIC will be shown on the following page.
Rawalpindi: Process and Steps
The process in Rawalpindi is similar to other cities. Visit the Rawalpindi Police’s official website, locate the ‘FIR Check’ section under ‘Services’, input your CNIC number and hit ‘Search’. The system will then display the status of FIRs associated with your CNIC number.
Karachi: Process and Steps
In Karachi, the Sindh Police provides the facility to check FIR status online. Visit their official website, click on the ‘FIR Check’ option under ‘Services’, enter your CNIC number and hit the ‘Search’ button. Any FIRs filed using your CNIC number will be displayed on the page.
How to Check FIR Online by CNIC
Although we have covered the basic process in different cities, let’s delve deeper into the steps involved in checking FIR online by CNIC for a more comprehensive understanding.
Visit the Pak Identity website of NADRA
The first step is to visit the Pak Identity website of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority), which is the central database holding all the CNIC information. Navigate to the police services section from the homepage.
Enter Required Information
In the police services section, you will find an option to check FIR status. Click on it, and you’ll be directed to a new page where you need to input the required information such as your CNIC number. Make sure that you enter the correct CNIC number to get accurate results.
Sending CNIC number via SMS
If you cannot access the internet, there’s another way to check FIR status. Simply send your CNIC number to 8787 via text message. You will receive an SMS in response, providing you with the status of any FIRs associated with your CNIC number.
Receive FIR Information
Once the system receives your CNIC number, it scans its database to fetch any FIRs associated with this number. If an FIR is found, you will see its status displayed on the page (or received via SMS). The information typically includes the FIR number, date, police station, and current status.
Get a Copy of Your FIR
Sometimes, you may need to obtain a physical copy of your FIR for legal or personal reasons. Here’s how you can do so.
Visit the Punjab Police Website
To get a copy of your FIR, visit the Punjab Police website. Move your cursor over the box that says ‘Request’.
Request a Copy of FIR
From the drop-down menu that appears when you hover over ‘Request’, choose ‘Copy of FIR’. You will be directed to a new page where you need to enter your FIR number and the police station where the FIR was filed. Then, click on ‘Submit’. Keep in mind that you will also need to provide a reason for requesting the FIR copy.
Understand the Received FIR Copy
Once your request is processed, you will receive a copy of the FIR. This document contains crucial information about the incident such as the complainant’s name, accused’s details, nature of the offence, eyewitnesses (if any), and other relevant details. It’s important to read and understand this document thoroughly as it can play a significant role in the court proceedings.
Conclusion
We have covered a lot of ground in this article, from understanding what an FIR and a CNIC are, to the step-by-step process of checking your FIR status online using your CNIC in different Pakistani cities. Let’s recap the process and highlight the importance of prompt FIR checking.
The process of checking FIR status online is pretty straightforward. It involves visiting the respective police website, navigating to the FIR check section, entering your CNIC number, and clicking on ‘Search’. Alternatively, you can also send your CNIC number to 8787 via SMS to get the FIR status. If you need a physical copy of your FIR, you can request one from the Punjab Police website by providing the FIR number
