Legal Help · Published September 7, 2026
Police Investigation Procedure in Pakistan
Filing an FIR is step one. Here's what's actually supposed to happen between that and a case reaching court.
Quick answer
After an FIR is registered, the investigating officer visits the scene, gathers evidence, and records statements — with a legal expectation of finishing within 14 days. The investigation concludes with a formal police report under Section 173 of the CrPC, commonly called a challan, which states whether an offence appears to have occurred and by whom, and is what actually moves the case toward a Magistrate or Sessions Court.
The framework, layer by layer
An FIR starts the investigation, it doesn't end it
Once an FIR is registered, the investigating officer is supposed to visit the scene, secure and record evidence, question witnesses, and prepare a site map — the FIR is the trigger, not the outcome.
There's a real deadline on the investigating officer
If the investigation isn't complete within 14 days of the FIR being recorded, the officer in charge is required to submit an incomplete report (challan) within 3 days of that deadline passing — investigations aren't meant to drag on indefinitely without any checkpoint.
The final output is the Section 173 CrPC police report — the challan
This report states the parties involved, the witnesses, whether an offence appears to have been committed and by whom, and whether the accused was arrested or released on bail. It's what actually gets the case in front of a Magistrate or Sessions Court.
The investigating officer is bound by facts, not by either side's story
Courts have made clear that an investigating officer's conclusions must be based on the actual facts uncovered during investigation — not simply on the complainant's version, and not on the accused's defense either.
Why the 14-day rule matters more than most complainants realize
The 14-day investigation window, explained in detail in iPleaders' breakdown of the Section 173 CrPC procedure, isn't just a bureaucratic formality — it's specifically designed to prevent investigations, and any custody connected to them, from dragging on without oversight. Courts have treated a serious failure to follow this timeline as a genuine defect, not a technicality, in cases where it affected an accused person's time in custody.
For a complainant, the practical lesson is similar to the one that applies to a refused FIR: silence from the police isn't something you have to simply wait out. If an investigation seems to have stalled well past a reasonable point, following up directly with the investigating officer or their SHO — and escalating if needed — is a legitimate step, not an overreaction.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Explaining how the investigation process and timelines generally work, in plain English or Urdu.
What it cannot do
It cannot access your specific case file, contact the investigating officer, or represent you — a licensed advocate should handle that.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after an FIR is registered in Pakistan?
The investigating officer is required to visit the crime scene, preserve and collect evidence, record statements from witnesses, and build a case file. This process is meant to conclude with a formal police report under Section 173 CrPC, commonly called a challan.
How long does a police investigation take in Pakistan?
The law expects investigation to be completed within 14 days of the FIR being recorded. If it isn't, the officer in charge must submit an incomplete challan within 3 days after that 14-day period expires — investigations aren't supposed to continue indefinitely without any report being filed.
What is a challan (police report) in Pakistan?
The challan is the formal police report filed under Section 173 of the CrPC at the end of an investigation. It records the parties, the witnesses, whether an offence appears to have occurred and by whom, and whether the accused has been arrested or granted bail.
What happens if the investigation timeline isn't followed?
Courts have treated serious violations of the investigation timeline as a real procedural problem — for example, where an accused remained in custody beyond what the timeline allows without a proper report being filed, courts have found the resulting proceedings affected by that failure.
Can Wakeel.org tell me the status of my case's investigation?
Wakeel.org can explain how the investigation process and timelines generally work. It cannot access a specific case file or contact the investigating officer on your behalf — for that, you'd follow up directly with the police station or, if there's a court proceeding, through your advocate.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Sources — check these directly to verify
Trying to understand where your case stands?
Ask Wakeel how the investigation process generally works — then follow up directly with the police station or your advocate.