Legal Help · Published October 21, 2026
How to File a Complaint Against the Police in Pakistan
Misconduct, a refused FIR, or a poorly handled investigation — here's the actual accountability chain, and where it leads outside the police itself.
Quick answer
Complain to the officer's SHO first; if that fails, escalate to the CCPO or DPO. For formal accountability, the Police Order 2002 created District and Provincial Public Safety and Police Complaints Commissions that can act on complaints independently of the police chain of command, and Section 155-C allows a case to be registered against an officer for misuse of authority, poor investigation, or misconduct. Note: an FIR the police refuse to register is a separate issue, handled through Section 22-A/22-B CrPC, not this complaint process.
The framework, layer by layer
The Police Order 2002 built a formal complaint structure
The Police Order 2002 established a chain of accountability for police misconduct — including Section 155-C, under which a case can be registered against an officer found guilty of misuse of authority, poor investigation, or misconduct, alongside Section 166(2) of the Pakistan Penal Code for faulty investigations specifically.
Escalate up the chain before going outside it
The standard escalation path starts with the SHO (Station House Officer) directly involved, then moves up to the CCPO or DPO (City/District Police Officer) if the SHO doesn't act — most complaints are meant to be resolved at this internal level before external bodies get involved.
Public Safety Commissions exist to check the police
The Police Order 2002 created District and Provincial Public Safety and Police Complaints Commissions — bodies specifically designed to receive and act on complaints against police officers, separate from the police's own internal chain of command.
A frivolous complaint carries its own risk
The Public Safety Commission framework also allows action against a complainant if a complaint is found frivolous or vexatious — a real consideration when deciding how to document and frame a complaint against a police officer.
Two different problems that get mixed up constantly
"The police won't help me" usually means one of two very different things, and each has its own remedy. If the police are refusing to register an FIR, that's addressed through an application to the Ex-Officio Justice of Peace under Sections 22-A and 22-B of the CrPC — a quasi-judicial route, not a misconduct complaint. If the problem is how an officer behaved — rudeness, abuse of power, a deliberately sloppy investigation, demanding a bribe — that's a Police Order 2002 misconduct complaint through the SHO-to-CCPO chain or a Public Safety Commission.
Documentation is what actually moves either process forward: names, badge numbers where available, dates, and any witnesses. A complaint framed around specific, checkable facts is treated very differently from a general grievance — and remember that a complaint found frivolous can itself trigger consequences for the complainant under the same framework.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Explaining the escalation chain and Public Safety Commission process, and helping you frame your facts clearly before you file.
What it cannot do
It cannot file the complaint, guarantee an outcome, or represent you before a Public Safety Commission — a licensed advocate should handle that.
Frequently asked questions
How do I file a complaint against a police officer in Pakistan?
Start with the SHO of the relevant police station. If the SHO fails to act, escalate to the CCPO or DPO. For formal accountability, a complaint can also be filed with the District or Provincial Public Safety and Police Complaints Commission established under the Police Order 2002.
What law governs police accountability in Pakistan?
The Police Order 2002 is the primary framework, including Section 155-C for registering a case against an officer for misuse of authority or misconduct, alongside Section 166(2) of the Pakistan Penal Code for faulty or biased investigations specifically.
What can a Public Safety Commission actually do?
It can receive and act on complaints against police officers independently of the police's own chain of command — a check specifically built into the Police Order 2002 to give citizens a route outside the department itself.
Can I get in trouble for filing a complaint against the police?
If a complaint is found frivolous or vexatious, the Public Safety Commission can direct action against the complainant under the law — which is why a complaint should be backed by genuine facts and documentation rather than filed casually.
Can Wakeel.org help me file a complaint against a police officer?
Wakeel.org can explain how the escalation path and Public Safety Commission process generally work and help you organize the facts. It cannot file the complaint or represent you before the Commission — a licensed advocate should handle that.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Dealing with police misconduct?
Ask Wakeel how the complaint process generally works — then verify with a licensed advocate before you file.