ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed all provincial and Islamabad Capital Territory police to ensure that FIRs, arrest memos, investigation reports, challans, and any other police records do not include references to the caste, tribe, community, religion, or any derogatory classification of complainants, suspects, victims, or witnesses.
The court stated that mentioning such identities is only permissible if the investigating officer can show in writing that it is strictly necessary for the investigation.
Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, writing a six-page judgment in a case stressed that society should respect every individual based on inherent dignity, not social status or occupation.
The court also condemned the use of historically derogatory terms associated with certain communities such as Bhangi, Chura, Mirasi, Dom and Musalli, noting that these are often used as insults rather than identifiers.
The ruling highlighted Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights frameworks, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), ICCPR, and ICESCR, which protect individuals from discrimination based on religion or social status.
The Supreme Court clarified that no terminology should single out converts or individuals of a different religion in a way that marks them as inferior or “new,” as this is unacceptable under both Islamic teachings and Pakistani law.
The court described the practice of recording caste or religious identity in police records as deeply concerning, stating that every individual’s dignity is inviolable and not a privilege granted based on societal prejudice.
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