Islamabad, Feb 18, 2026: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed police across the country not to mention the caste, tribe, community, religion or any derogatory classification of any person in its records.
The court ruled that FIRs, arrest memos, investigation reports, challans, or any other police records should not include references to the caste, tribe, community, religion, or any derogatory classification of complainants, suspects, victims, or witnesses.
The court clarified that mentioning such identities is only permissible if the investigating officer can demonstrate in writing that it is strictly necessary for the investigation.
Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, writing the six-page judgment in a case, stated that society should respect every individual based on inherent dignity, not social status or occupation.
The judgment also condemned the use of historically derogatory terms associated with certain communities such as Bhangi, Chura, Mirasi, Dom and Musalli, noting that these words are often used as insults rather than identifiers.
The ruling referenced Pakistan’s international human rights obligations under frameworks including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), ICCPR, and ICESCR, which safeguard individuals against discrimination based on religion or social status.
The Supreme Court further stated 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, stressing that every individual’s dignity is inviolable and not a privilege granted by societal prejudice.