Friends, today I want to discuss an FIR that, in my opinion, should become a model for every police station in the country. If even one such FIR is registered in every station, the culture of false cases could finally begin to end.
FIR No. 1400/24 was registered at Fateh Sher Police Station, District Sahiwal, on the direction of Additional District and Sessions Judge Ms. Ghazala Yasmeen. What she has done is remarkable and deserves national attention.
The background of the matter is this: a case (FIR No. 350/24) had been registered against an accused under Section 9-C of the Control of Narcotic Substances law, a charge relating to possession of charas (hashish). During the trial, the accused was acquitted. However, this was not an ordinary acquittal. The defense presented strong evidence, and the lawyer conducted an exceptional cross-examination that exposed serious flaws in the prosecution’s case.
The court became fully convinced that the case was not only false but that the alleged recovery of narcotics had been fabricated by the police officials themselves.
Instead of simply acquitting the accused and closing the file, Judge Ghazala Yasmeen took a bold step. She sent a detailed report to the police station and ordered that a case under Section 9-C be registered against the very police officials involved. Among those named were Sub-Inspector Habib, Investigating Officer Ghulam Abbas, ASI Ijaz Ahmad, Constable Nusrat, Head Constable Tasabbur Hussain, and Moharrir Aslam.
The judge clearly held that if the recovery was not made from the accused, then it must have been planted by the officials. Therefore, legal action should be taken against them under the same law they misused against an innocent citizen.
This action sets a powerful precedent.
False narcotics cases have become alarmingly common. Statistics show that only around 2% of such cases result in conviction, while nearly 98% end in acquittal. This clearly indicates systemic abuse. Individuals are picked up from one place, shown arrested from another, and fake recoveries are presented, often described in identical language: a “secret informer,” a “blue shopper bag,” and a specific weight of charas, frequently ranging between 1,360 to 1,520 grams. These stories are repeated so often that they have become a pattern.
Such fabricated recoveries are used to harass citizens, settle personal scores, or target individuals for various reasons.
This issue is not limited to ordinary citizens. Even political figures have faced false narcotics cases in different periods. Whenever false cases are filed, regardless of who the victim is, they must be condemned. If the law can be weaponized against one person today, it can be weaponized against anyone tomorrow.
I speak from personal experience. I was once arrested by 30 to 35 police officials. A pistol was held to my temple. I was assaulted. A false FIR was registered against me alleging that I had torn a police uniform. When I appeared before the magistrate, I requested that he review the viral video circulating on social media, which clearly showed what had happened. Despite the video evidence, I was sent to judicial custody. Later, I obtained bail, but no action was taken against the officials who had filed the false case.
This is why the action taken by Judge Ghazala Yasmeen is so important. She has set an example for judges across Pakistan. Many judges may know that a case before them is false. They may see fabricated statements and questionable evidence. Yet often, no action is taken against those responsible.
If judges begin to fully exercise their judicial powers, the rule of law can truly be established in this country. Accountability must apply not only to citizens but also to those entrusted with enforcing the law.
To Judge Ghazala Yasmeen, I offer my sincere respect. By taking this courageous step, she has shown that the judiciary can play a transformative role in ending false cases and restoring public trust in justice.
If such examples are followed nationwide, we may finally move toward a system where justice prevails over misuse of power.