'Make FIRs readable': LHC pulls up police over tiny fonts

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday expressed displeasure over the use of extremely small fonts in First Information Reports (FIRs) and directed Punjab Police to ensure that computerised FIRs are prepared in a uniform and legible font across all police stations in the province.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum issued the directions while hearing a contempt petition against former Chung station house officer (SHO) Rashid Amin Butt.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Abdul Karim and other senior officers appeared before the court. Additional Advocate General Muhammad Naveed Sheikh and Assistant Advocate General Waqas Umar also attended the proceedings.

Expressing annoyance over the submission of FIRs printed in small fonts, the chief justice remarked, "Have you seen the FIR? It cannot be read even with glasses." She questioned whether the court would be expected to "read or understand" such FIRs, adding that the issue was being observed in almost every case.The chief justice observed that the font would inevitably become too small when material meant for three pages was compressed onto a page. "They say they are saving paper, but while saving paper, they have ruined our eyesight," she remarked.

The court directed the IGP to ensure that FIRs across the province were prepared using a uniform and appropriate font.

It also ordered the preparation of a standard computerised FIR format to be circulated among all police stations in the province.

IGP Abdul Karim told the court that a letter had been sent to the chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) regarding increasing the font size of FIRs. He said assistance had been sought from the PITB and the FIRs would now be capable of being enlarged through the zoom function by up to 70 per cent.

The chief justice observed that at least a standard font should be prescribed, adding that the matter was not complicated and could be resolved within a day or two.

The court directed the IG to submit a report on the measures taken regarding the FIR font by September 29, adjourning further proceedings.