Only 70 out of around 1,277 FIRs filed online in the first two days after the web facility was launched by the K-P police were genuine. PHOTO: FILE
Around 1,277 FIRs were registered online in the first two days after the web facility was launched by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police. But only 70 of those information reports were genuine, those familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune.
The service was made available on an experimental basis through the official website of the K-P police so the general public could lodge complaints without actually stepping inside a police station.
According to a high-ranking police official the decision was taken by the new provincial government as there had been complaints regarding police reluctance to register FIRs in many cases. An online system eliminates any such problem as all the person needs to do is go to the website, enter the relevant details, type out their complaint and press ‘add’.
A board has been established under the supervision of DIG Operations to scrutinise and sift through the ‘online FIRs’ and for managing the process. However, it might be prudent to note ‘online FIR’ is a bit of a misnomer: filling the form does not mean an actual FIR is automatically registered.
Step by Step
“A form is available online which complainants fill after which the identity of the complainant would be verified by NADRA.”
“Then the complaint would be scrutinised by an official at the indicated police station, who will present the report to the board,” he continued. “If the complaint is declared valid, an FIR would be launched at the relevant police station,” explained the official.
“Once the FIR is lodged the complainant is informed, he can track the details of his FIR on the website.”
At least 1,277 complaints were lodged online on Sunday and Monday after the facility was advertised via a police handout, he added. “Most of the complaints were not authentic and only 60 to 70 of the total were found to be genuine – proper FIRs were registered for those by the concerned police stations.”
(Mis)using the system
There were complaints about the police being hesitant to register first information reports in certain cases such as kidnapping for ransom and other similar crimes, shared the official. The online system was meant to discourage this practice but the new system has created another problem – misuse of of the facility.
“Most people tried to register FIRs against their opponents to create hurdles for them, which of course is not a good trend,” pointed out the official.
The FIR Board
This entity headed by the DIG has to ensure all online FIRs are downloaded on time and the details of the FIR are immediately sent to the concerned SHO, DPO and RPO via email, fax or telephone.
It will also oversee the FIR’s registration at the correct station without any delay and follow up with the person who lodged the complaint online.
The K-P police website www.kppolice.gov.pk was launched by IGP Ihsan Ghani last month.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2013.
COMMENTS (26)
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I think et again has felt something fishy in this revolutionary step and intention seems to be dishonest!!
@waqas: I too just came up with this :-)
Dear
It is a good step toward to highlight the problems in society but our maximum people is not educated as they will not do it . So better to setup the proper office/people in city in open market to do this job . The service will be on a very small amount .
This is a very positive step. A Simple solution to this is the person's mobile number should be asked. Then upon registration a passcode should b sent to that mobile number. The person should be asked to enter the passcode he received. If the passcode is validated at the website then the fir gets registered otherwise discarded. In this way the police can get rid of fake firs.
I can suggest a very simple solution. When someone try lodging an online FIR, website should ask for a cellphone no and send a random text code for verification. Problem solved.
@Khan Gul: Yeah if your NIC number is available to general public one can not only use to register FIR but it could be used in numerous ways to exploit you. such as getting SIM against your name and using it for criminal purposes.
I guess it is our personal responsibility to keep our documents confidential. This is a a good step and some other steps are needed to be taken to cover the flaws in the newly born system so imposing heavy penalty is a good idea.
We don't need a Naya Pakistan. We need Naye Pakistanis.
I honestly feel bogus Fir can be prevented , it's not that hard and for some steps like Special Cyber police cell should be launched. Along with the FIR applicant should Mail their at least two Identity Copies like CNIC copies and Passport copies which confirms their Address and Identity. The applicant who wants to register Fir must also include the ID and Address proof of at-least two or three witness along with their mobile numbers. On successfully registering FIR the special Cyber Police should give an automated message on the Applicant and witness mobile numbers that their Fir has been registered and after inquiry to check if their complaint is genuine they can be called at Police station or Police will themselves reach their address.
As far as awareness of prevention of Fake Fir registration is considered they (police dept) can advertise through newspapers and Tv adds that their will be fine and jail imposed on the Applicant and witness depending on the nature a Fake FIR can do which can be handled by a Magistrate level judge within three months. This system is very popular and effective in Britain ( remember Altaf bhai current case in london) and switzerland.
Good initiative by KPK Govt.! Punjab already has online FIR. I hope Sindh and Balochistan also follow in their footstep. The important thing is that these result in lower crimes!
Good initiative but i suggest that instead of heavy penalty why not they make their system secure and intelligent, why not they give chance to I.T youth who knows how to handle this kind of serious problems . Instead of developing it from outsiders / agents for commission.
System is right now in we can say "beta testing" phase. But these systems can be effective only when you have strict cyber crime laws and an intelligent cyber crime tracking team. Who can track the proper systems that lodge false complaints. Every person with internet should be registered with proper information with their ISPs etc.
First we have to fix our infrastructure then these systems will be helpful and effective. Otherwise out of thousands only 10s will be real complains.
@abid: But how to sort out that the FIR was fake and was not registered by the specific person ?
Well... When 1122 Was Introduced in Punjab there was Misuse of it as well. Prank Calls in 1122 Call Centre. Some how its similar. E-FIR Service is Introduced For the first time in our Country, Instead Taking Physical Action we should design a Telephonic interview to judge the authenticity and than proceed. And i do suggest a Heavy Penalty for Fake Complaint once the system is All up after experimentation.
Fully appreciate this effort. The ratio of false FIR will reduce once people get used to it but it will still be there. Heavy penalty and in some cases jailing the complainant for false FIR can be a solution.
I agree to Abid for imposing heavy penalities. But the issue comes of misusing someone else NIC number, for that I would suggest saving of IP address. BTW, it is the best project started by KPK government and I would appreciate it.
Great move. In order to reduce the fake FIRs, the application should require a mobile phone number in addition to the CNIC. Once the applicant has pressed OK online to register the FIR, an automated confirmation text message should be sent to the mobile number, confirming that an FIR. The text message should show the name of the person registering the FIR, the CNIC number, and other relevant identification details. It should ask the text message recipient to confirm if the FIR was indeed registered by them. If not, it should have a number to call to report fraud. It should also have a terse message reminding offenders about heavy penalties for fake FIRs.
heaviest penalty all the way with a little bit of physical torture'
Indeed a great step... The first step after the FIR is added to the system should be to call the person who's number is specified in the report to verify whether the complaint is genuine or not. Only then they should proceed with their verification and investigation process.
Excellent step and completely agreed with a HEAVY penalty for people misusing this facility. Everywhere in the world there are penalties imposed for misusing any public facility. Sending one behind bars for a short period isn't a bad option either if he/she refuses to pay the penalty.
Great work PTI, Thanks
Heavy penalty? Are you guys serious ??? Somebody registers an FIR on my name and on my CNIC number and all of a sudden I get picked up by the security agencies for filing a wrong FIR .... of which I know nothing about. Should I keep my CNIC number secret from now on or what?
Appreciated !
I endorse a *HEAVY PENALTY * for the false complaints !
It's a great step provided an effective and efficient process afterwards .
I agree to what Abid wrote here. A heavy penalty should be imposed on those trying to register fake FIRs or trying to misuse this wonderful program. I wish we as a nation grow up and use every thing in a proper way. Calling 911 here in US with an intention to misuse it can lead one into heavy penalties and some times take them behind the bars, I wish and pray that, we see our nation turning into a mature nation soon. I wish...!!!!
it is a revolutionary step, it should be appreciated..as far as false or fabricated FIR is considered..a hefty amount as penalty fine should be imposed on such people who report false FIR.