The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has rejected colonial-era language in the police system and imposed a ban on addressing the station house officer (SHO) as “To the Honourable” in written applications.

The court ruled that citizens must be recognised as dignified legal parties. The court also declared delays in the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) unacceptable. It directed that copies of the judgement be sent to federal and provincial police inspectors general and prosecutors general to ensure implementation across the country.

In its landmark ruling, the Supreme Court declared the use of the phrase “To the Honourable” for SHOs prohibited. It also barred the use of the term “complainant” for individuals seeking registration of an FIR.

The court observed that the SHO is a public servant and the public is not subordinate to the police. Any delay by police in registering an FIR was termed unacceptable.

The judgement further ordered that copies of the decision be circulated to all federal and provincial police chiefs.

The Supreme Court termed the decision as a major step towards ending British-era writing practices in the police system. It ordered that no honorific titles be used for SHOs in FIRs in future. The court also strictly prohibited the use of the term “complainant” for FIR registration.

Police were warned of strict action in cases where there is a delay in lodging an FIR after receiving information about a crime.

The court ruled that the SHO is a servant of the people. Therefore, FIRs must address the officer only as “Mr SHO” instead of honorific expressions. The judgement stressed that subservient language has no place in the police system.

According to the ruling, the citizen seeking registration of an FIR will be referred to as an “informant”. The term “complainant” will remain limited to private criminal complaints only. The court stated that the word “complainant” gives an impression of pleading rather than asserting a legal right.

The judgement held that any delay in the registration of an FIR is unacceptable, as it risks loss of evidence. In cases of delay, police officials may face proceedings under the penal code.

The detailed judgement was authored by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, who also dismissed the appeal against the sentence awarded to a convict in a murder case from Tando Ghulam Ali.