Criminal law
فوجداری قانون
Criminal law is the branch of law that defines offences, how they are investigated and tried, and how they are punished.
What is Criminal law law in Pakistan?
The State prosecutes the accused. Offences are defined in the Pakistan Penal Code and special laws, procedure is in the Code of Criminal Procedure, and evidence is governed by the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order.
Which are the main laws?
- Pakistan Penal Code (1860)
- Code of Criminal Procedure (1898)
- Qanun-e-Shahadat Order (1984)
Which courts hear these cases?
- District & Sessions Courts (Punjab)
- District & Sessions Courts (Sindh)
- District & Sessions Courts (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- District & Sessions Courts (Balochistan)
- District & Sessions Courts (Islamabad)
- Magistrate Courts (Punjab)
- Supreme Court of Pakistan
- Lahore High Court
- High Court of Sindh
- Peshawar High Court
- High Court of Balochistan
- Islamabad High Court
Which terms will I meet?
- Criminal case
- FIR (First Information Report)
- Challan
- Physical remand
- Judicial remand
- Bail before arrest
- Bail after arrest
- Cognizable offence
- Bailable offence
- Acquittal
- Conviction
Common questions
- What is the difference between physical and judicial remand?
- Physical remand sends the accused to police custody for investigation; judicial remand sends the accused to jail custody.
- Which laws govern a criminal case?
- The Pakistan Penal Code defines most offences, the Code of Criminal Procedure sets the steps from FIR to appeal, and the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order governs evidence.
- Where does a criminal case start?
- Usually with an FIR at a police station, then trial before a Magistrate or Sessions Court depending on the offence.