A certificate of no criminal record in Pakistan is usually called a Police Character Certificate (PCC) or Police Clearance Certificate. People need it for visas, immigration, jobs abroad and some local jobs. There is no single national office for it. Each province or area has its own police process, and the route is different if you live abroad.
Which Office Issues It?
If you live in Pakistan, you apply through the police system of your province or area: Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) or Balochistan. If you live abroad, you apply through a Pakistani embassy or consulate, or a trusted relative applies for you in Pakistan.
Punjab
In Punjab you can apply at any Police Khidmat Markaz (police facilitation centre) in the province. You do not have to apply in the district where you need the certificate. The Punjab Police Khidmat Markaz website, pkm.punjab.gov.pk, lists a Character Certificate service. I could not open its details, so check that site or visit a centre for the current fee, forms and timeline.
The certificate can be couriered to your address or collected from the office where you applied. A Punjab Police certificate is reported to be valid for 180 days, so apply again if yours has expired.
Islamabad
According to the Islamabad Police website, as reported in 2023:
- Where to apply: the Police Khidmat Markaz in Sector F-6/1, H-11 Police Lines, or the nearest police station.
- Documents: your original CNIC or B-Form, passport, and a photograph. If your CNIC does not show an Islamabad address, bring photocopies and an affidavit.
- Time: about 3 working days, with a 72-hour processing period.
Fees and any online option were not given. Confirm them with the police before you go.
Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan
Each of these has its own process. Canada’s immigration guidance says only KP handles applications in person, and you may need to visit the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office. Online processing of the certificate through embassies is reported to be available for Punjab and Islamabad residents, but not for residents of Sindh, KP or Balochistan. I could not find a verified step-by-step process or fee for these provinces. Contact your local police or district SSP office for the current steps.
If You Live Abroad
Go to your nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate. Reports say you need:
- A completed application form
- Certified copies of your passport, including pages that show your legal stay, and your National Identity Card
- Three passport-size photographs
- The applicable fee
Fees and time vary by mission. For example, a New Zealand page lists NZD 25, and a Beijing Embassy page lists RMB 113 for the certificate and attestation together. Check your own embassy’s page for the current amount.
Processing times also differ. Punjab and Islamabad residents may get theirs in about two to four weeks. For residents of Sindh and KP, the New Zealand page says the High Commission forwards the application to the Ministry of Interior and processing can take three to six months.
If a Relative Applies for You in Pakistan
A close relative can apply on your behalf. You will usually need to give them:
- An authority letter, stamped by the embassy or attested by a gazetted officer who knows you
- A sworn affidavit on judicial stamp paper, in some cases
- Copies of your passport and ID, and a photocopy of your passport’s last exit page
If You Are Not a Pakistani Citizen
If you live in Pakistan, apply at the local district SSP office of the Police Security Branch with a completed form, certified passport photocopies, three photographs and the fee. If you live abroad, apply at the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate.
Tips Before You Apply
- Carry originals and clear photocopies of your CNIC and passport.
- Check what the receiving authority, such as an embassy or employer, needs. Some ask for a recent certificate or an attested copy.
- Do not pay agents who promise a “fast” certificate. Use official police or embassy channels.
- Keep your receipt and tracking details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a police character certificate?
It is an official document from the police stating whether you have a criminal record.
Can I apply for it at any police station?
Not always. In Punjab you can apply at any Police Khidmat Markaz. In Islamabad you can apply at the F-6/1 centre, H-11 Police Lines or the nearest police station. Other provinces have their own rules.
How long does it take?
In Islamabad, about 3 working days was reported. Overseas applications can take weeks, and for Sindh and KP residents sometimes months.
How long is it valid?
A Punjab Police certificate is reported to be valid for 180 days. Other authorities may have different rules.
Can someone apply for me while I am abroad?
Yes. A close relative can apply in Pakistan with an authority letter and the other required documents.
Because the process, fees and timing differ by province and by embassy, check with the issuing office first so that you take the right documents the first time.
