Documentary evidence is addressed in Chapter 5 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984. This chapter covers Articles 72 to 101 on presenting documents in court and ensuring their legality. They clarify the distinction between primary and secondary documents.
Have you thought about the importance of document verification in court submissions? Presenting a document alone isn’t enough. There are numerous principles governing authenticity and acceptability. This chapter outlines key points for presenting documents in court proceedings.
The chapter ensures documents submitted to court are properly reviewed and admissible. This maintains the accuracy and legality of the evidence submitted in court.
Quick Summary of QSO Chapter 5 in Urdu
پاکستان قانون شہادت آرڈر کے چیپٹر 5 میں دستاویزی شہادت کے بارے میں بنیادی اصول دیے گئے ہیں۔ آرٹیکلز 72 سے 101 تک میں یہ وضاحت کی گئی ہے کہ عدالت میں دستاویزات کو کیسے پیش کیا جائے اور ان کی قانونی حیثیت کیسے ثابت کی جائے۔ اس میں بنیادی پرائمری اور سکینڈری دستاویزات کا فرق بھی بیان کیا گیا ہے۔
Key Points Table of Documentary Evidence.
In the table below, the essential points of the documentary evidence are thoroughly discussed in Urdu, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
| Article | title | key points |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Proof of contents of documents | ابتدائی شہادت کے ذریعے یا ثانوی شہادت کے ذریعے ثابت کیا جا سکتا ہے |
| 73 | Primary evidence | دستاویز کو خود پیش کیا جائے۔ اگر دستاویز کے حصے مختلف ہوں تو ہر حصہ ابتدائی شہادت ہے۔ ایک ہی عمل سے تیار کی گئی ہو تو ہر حصہ ابتدائی شہادت ہے، لیکن تمام نسخے یا نقول نہیں ہیں |
| 74 | Secondary evidence | تصدیق شدہ نقول، اصل سے بنائی گئی نقول، مکینیکل طریقے سے تیار شدہ نقول، اور زبانی گواہی قابل قبول ہیں |
| 75 | Proof of documents by primary evidence | دستاویزات کو ابتدائی شہادت کے ذریعے ثابت کیا جانا ضروری ہے، مگر کچھ استثنائی حالات میں |
| 76 | Cases in which secondary evidence relating to documents may be given | جب دستاویز متعلقہ فرد کے قبضے میں ہو، اصل دستاویز ضائع یا تباہ ہو چکی ہو، یا یہ عوامی دستاویز ہو |
| 77 | Rules as to notice to produce | ثانوی شہادت فراہم کرنے کے لیے نوٹس دینا ضروری ہے، لیکن مخصوص حالات میں نوٹس کی ضرورت نہیں |
| 78 | Proof of signature and handwriting of person alleged to have signed or written document produced | دستخط یا دستاویز کی تصدیق دستخط کنندہ کے ہاتھ سے ہونی چاہیے، الیکٹرانک دستخط کو سکیورٹی پراسیجر کے ذریعے ثابت کیا جائے گا |
| 79 | Proof of execution of document required by law to be attested | دستاویز کو گواہوں کی موجودگی میں ثابت کیا جائے، سوائے ان دستاویزات کے جو وصیت نہیں ہیں |
| 80 | Proof where no attesting witness found | جب گواہ موجود نہ ہوں تو دستاویز کو ثابت کرنا ہوگا کہ یہ اصل میں دستخط کنندہ نے تیار کی ہے |
| 81 | Admission of execution by party to attested document | پارٹی کا اعتراف خود اس کے خلاف دستاویز کے ثبوت کے لیے کافی ہے |
| 82 | Proof when attesting witness denies the execution | اگر گواہ انکار کرے یا یاد نہ رکھے تو دیگر شواہد کے ذریعے دستاویز کو ثابت کرنا ہوگا |
| 83 | Proof of document not required by law to be attested | ایسی دستاویزات کو اسی طرح ثابت کیا جا سکتا ہے جیسے وہ غیر تصدیق شدہ ہوں |
| 84 | Comparison of signature, writing or seal with others admitted or proved | عدالت متنازعہ دستخط، تحریر یا مہر کا موازنہ ثابت شدہ یا تسلیم شدہ نمونوں سے کر سکتی ہے۔ عدالت کسی شخص کو تحریر یا نشانات فراہم کرنے کی ہدایت دے سکتی ہے، یہ اصول فنگر پرنٹس پر بھی لاگو ہوتا ہے۔ |
Understand Public Documents with Key Points
The key points of the Public Documents are elaborated in the table below, where each point is thoughtfully explained in Urdu, allowing a deep understanding of the subject matter.
| Article | title | key points |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Public Documents | دستاویزات جو خود مختار حکام، عدالتی و انتظامی اداروں، یا عوامی افسران کے ریکارڈ کا حصہ ہوں |
| 86 | Private Documents | وہ تمام دستاویزات جو عوامی دستاویزات نہیں ہیں |
| 87 | Certified copies of Public Documents | عوامی دستاویزات کی تصدیق شدہ نقول متعلقہ عوامی افسر سے مانگنے پر حاصل کی جا سکتی ہیں |
| 88 | Proof of documents by production of certified copies | تصدیق شدہ نقول کو پیش کر کے دستاویزات کو ثابت کیا جا سکتا ہے |
| 89 | Proof of other public documents | دیگر عوامی دستاویزات کی تصدیق شدہ نقول یا حکومتی افسر کی تصدیق شدہ نقول کو قبول کیا جائے گا |
| 90 | Presumption as to genuineness of certified copies | عدالت فرض کرے گی کہ تصدیق شدہ نقول اصل ہیں اور قانون کے مطابق تیار کی گئی ہیں |
| 91 | Presumption as to documents produced as record of evidence | عدالت فرض کرے گی کہ عدالتی ریکارڈ، بیانات اور اعترافات کی دستاویزات اصل ہیں اور درست ہیں |
| 92 | Presumption as to genuineness of documents kept under any law | عدالت فرض کرے گی کہ وہ دستاویزات جو کسی قانون کے تحت محفوظ کی گئی ہیں، درست اور قانونی ہیں |
| 93 | Presumption as to maps or plans made by authority of Government | حکومت کے تحت تیار کردہ نقشے یا منصوبے درست اور قابل قبول تصور کیے جائیں گے |
| 94 | Presumption as to collections of laws and reports of decision | عدالت فرض کرے گی کہ حکومت کے تحت شائع شدہ قوانین اور فیصلوں کی کتابیں اصل ہیں |
| 95 | Presumption as to powers-of-attorney | عدالت فرض کرے گی کہ پاور آف اٹارنی اور اس کی تصدیق شدہ دستاویزات اصل اور درست ہیں |
| 96 | Presumption as to certified copies of foreign judicial records | غیر ملکی عدالتی ریکارڈ کی تصدیق شدہ نقول کو درست تسلیم کیا جائے گا اگر وہ قانونی طریقہ کار کے تحت تیار کی گئی ہوں |
| 97 | Presumption as to books, maps and charts | کتابوں، نقشوں اور چارٹس کو درست اور اصل مانا جائے گا اگر وہ متعلقہ فرد کے دستخط کے ساتھ پیش کیے جائیں |
| 98 | Presumption as to telegraphic messages | عدالت فرض کرے گی کہ ٹیلیگرافک پیغامات اصل ہیں اگر وہ ٹیلیگراف آفس سے بھیجے گئے ہوں اور درست پتے پر پہنچے ہوں |
| 99 | Presumption as to due execution, etc., of document not produced | عدالت فرض کرے گی کہ وہ دستاویز جو نوٹس دینے کے باوجود پیش نہیں کی گئی، قانون کے مطابق تیار اور دستخط شدہ ہے |
| 100 | Presumption as to documents thirty years old | 30 سال پرانی دستاویزات کو عدالت درست اور اصل مانے گی اگر وہ مناسب جگہ سے حاصل کی جائیں |
| 101 | Certified copies of documents thirty years old | تیس سال پرانی تصدیق شدہ نقول دستاویز کے مواد یا اس کے حصے کو ثابت کرنے کے لیے استعمال کی جا سکتی ہیں، بشرطیکہ وہ آرٹیکل 87 کے مطابق تصدیق شدہ ہوں |
Key Points on Documentary Evidence in Articles 72-101: A Comprehensive Guide
Article 72. Proof of contents of documents:
• By primary evidence or
• By secondary evidence
Article 73. Primary evidence:
• Document itself produced for inspection
➥ Document executed in several parts
» Each part is primary evidence
• Made in one uniform process
➥ Each is primary evidence but
➥ We are all or copies
» They are not
• Printed or other form of output
• Print out or other form of reproduction
Article 74. Secondary Evidence
• Certified copies given
• Copies made from the original by mechanical process
• Copies made from or compared with the original
• Counterparts of documents
• Oral accounts
Article 75. Proof of documents by primary evidence:
• Documents must be proved by primary evidence
• Except hereinafter mentioned
Article 76. Cases in which secondary evidence relating to documents may be given:
• In possession or power of person against whom document sought to be proved
• Have been proved to be admitted in writing
• Original has been destroyed Or lost
• Volume or bulk
• Not to be easily movable
• Is a public document
• Of which certified copy is permitted by this order
• Numerous accounts
• Part of a judicial record
Article 77. Rules as to notice to produce
• Secondary evidence of contents of documents shall not be given
• Unless
➥ Notice has been served to produce
• Provided that such notice shall not be required in order to render secondary evidence admissible in any of the following cases
» Document is itself a notice
» When adverse party know that he will be required to produce it
» Party has obtained possession through fraud or force
» Adverse party our agent has original in the court
» Adverse party or agent has admitted the loss of document
» Person in possession is out of reach, or not subject to process of the court
Article 78. Proof of signature and handwriting of person alleged to have signed or written document produced
• Document allowed to be signed
• Or written wholly or in part
• Must be proved by his handwriting
Proof of electronic signature and electronic document
• By a person through the use of an information system
• Where such allegation denied
• Application of a security procedure to the signature
• Or electronic document must be proved
Article 79. Proof of execution of document required by law to be attested:
• A document shall not be used as evidence
• Unless
➥ Two attesting witnesses attested
➥ If
» Alive and
» Subject to the process of court and
» Capable
• Not necessary to call an attesting witness
• In proof of the execution of any document
➥ Not being a will
• Unless
➥ Its execution by the person by whom it purports to have been executed
» Specifically denied
Article 80. Proof where no attesting witness found:
• It must be proved that attesting witness have either died or cannot be found
• And document was executed by the person who purports to have done so
Article 81. Admission of execution by party to attested document:
• Shall be sufficient proof of its execution
• As against him
Article 82. Proof when attesting witness denies the execution:
• Denies or does not recollect
• Must be proved by other evidence
Article 83. Proof of document not required by law to be attested:
• Maybe proved as if it was unattested
Article 84. Comparison of signature, writing or seal with others admitted or proved
- The court can compare disputed signatures, writings, or seals with those admitted or proved to determine authenticity.
- The court may direct a person present to write or provide impressions for comparison, applicable to finger-impressions as well.
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS
Article 85. Public Documents
• Documents forming acts or records of acts
➥ Of Sovereign authority
➥ Of official bodies and tribunals
➥ Of public officers, legislative, judicial and executive
• Public records
• Documents forming part of records
• Documents required to be maintained
• Registered documents
• Certificates deposited in the repository
Article 86. Private Documents
• All other documents
Article 87. Certified copies of Public Documents
• Every public officer having custody of public document
• Shall give that person a copy
➥ On demand of it
➥ On payment of legal fee
• Written on foot that
• It is a true copy
• Dated and subscribed
• Shall be sealed
Shall be called certified copy
• Photostat copy not admissible unless
➥ It has been certificate to be a true copy
• Official notes and correspondence on copies there of being not public document
➥ Shall not be issued and admissible in any case
ARTICLE 88. Proof of documents by production of certified Copies:
• Maybe produced of which
• They purport to be copies
Article 89.Proof of other public documents:
• Certified by
➥ The heads of Department or
➥ Any document purporting to be printed by any such government
• Proceedings of the legislatures
➥ By journals or
➥ By published Acts or
➥ Abstracts or
➥ Copies purporting to be printed
• Foreign country legislature or executive Acts
➥ By journals published under the seal
• Proceedings of a municipal body in Pakistan
• Public documents of any other class in foreign country
➥ Original or
➥ Certified copy
• Under seal of
• Notary public or
• Pakistani council or
• Diplomatic agent
PRESUMPTION AS TO DOCUMENTS
Article 90. Presumption as to genuineness of certified copies:
• Court shall presume every document as genuine
➥ To be executed in manner directed by law
• Shall also presume his official character which he claims in such document
Article 91. Presumption as to documents produced as record of evidence:
• Purporting to be record or memorandum
➥ Of the evidence or
➥ Any part or
➥ To be a statement of confession
• Purporting to be signed by judge or magistrate
• Court shall presume that
➥ Document is genuine
➥ Statements are true
➥ Confession was duly taken
Article 92. Presumption as to genuineness of documents kept under any law:
• If kept substantially in the form required by law and
• Is produced from proper custody
Article 93. Presumption as to maps or plans made by authority of Government:
• The court shall presume that maps or plans purporting to be made by the authority
➥ Were so made, and
➥ Are accurate
• But maps or plans made for the purposes of any cause must be proved to be accurate
Article 94. Presumption as to collections of laws and reports of decision:
• The court shall presume the genuineness of every book
• Purporting to be printed or published
➥ Under the authority of the government of any country
• And to contain
➥ Any of the laws of their country
• And of every book purporting to contain
➥ Reports of decisions of the courts of such country
Article 95. Presumption as to powers-of-attorney:
• The court shall presume that every document purporting to be a power of attorney
• And to have been executive before and authenticated by
➥ A notary public
➥ Or any court, judge, magistrate,
➥ Pakistan consul or vice consul or
➥ Representative of the Federal Government
• Was so executed and authenticated
Article 96. Presumption as to certified copies of foreign judicial records:
• Document purporting to be certified copy of any judicial record of any country not forming part of Pakistan is genuine and accurate
• An officer who, with respect to territory or place not forming part of Pakistan, is a political agent
➥ Shall be deemed to be representative of Federal Government
ARTICLE 97. Presumption as to books, maps and charts:
• Book to which it may refer for information on matters of public or general interest and that any published map or chart
• Statements which are relevant facts and produced for inspection
• Was written and published by the person, and at the time and place
➥ By whom or at which it purports to have been written or published
Article 98. Presumption as to telegraphic messages:
• The court may presume that a message forwarded from a telegraph office
• To the person to whom such message purports to be addressed
• Correspond with a message delivered for transmission at the office from which the message purports to be sent
➥ But the court shall not make any presumption as to the person by whom search message was delivered for transmission
Article 99. Presumption as to due execution, etc., of document not produced:
• The Court shall presume that every document
• Called for and not produced after notice to produce
• Was attested, stamped and executed in the manner required by law
Article 100. Presumption as to documents thirty years old:
• Where any document purporting or proved to be 30 years old
• Is produced from any custody which the court in the particular case considers proper
• The code may presume that
➥ The signature and every other part of the document
➥ Which purports to be in the handwriting of any particular person
➥ Is in that person’s handwriting
• And in the case of a document executed and attested, that it was duly executed and attested
• By the person by whom it purports to be executed and attested
Article 101. Certified copies of documents thirty years old:
• Certified in a manner provided in article 87
• And is not less than 30 years old
• And such certified copy maybe produced in proof of
➥ The contents of document or
➥ Parts of the document
• Of which it purports to be a copy
MCQ’s Test of Documentary Evidence.
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Read Also : QSO Chapter 6 The Exclusion Of Oral By Documentary Evidence