Pakistan

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Pakistan are severe, potentially including long prison sentences, heavy fines, and capital punishment.

Capital punishment possible.

Cannabis is illegal in Pakistan, and possessing even a small amount is a criminal offence that carries a minimum prison sentence — there is no quantity treated as legal. Under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997 the lowest penalty band starts at no less than six months in prison for bhang and no less than ten months for charas (hashish), and bail is not normally granted. Pakistan did pass a Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Act in 2024, but it only licenses businesses to grow and process cannabis for medical and industrial products — it gives individuals no right to possess or use cannabis.

Penalties are set by quantity under section 9 of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997, and every band carries a mandatory minimum prison term. Bhang: up to 999 grams — imprisonment which may extend to three years but shall not be less than six months, along with a fine which may be up to ten thousand rupees; 20,000 grams or more — up to life imprisonment but not less than fourteen years. Charas (cannabis resin or hashish): up to 499 grams — imprisonment which may extend to five years but shall not be less than ten months, along with a fine which may be up to forty thousand rupees; 10,000 grams or more — up to life imprisonment but not less than twenty years. Hashish oil or liquid hashish: up to 499 grams — imprisonment which may extend to seven years but shall not be less than fourteen months. Bail shall not normally be granted (section 51(2)); no remission, probation or parole is available (section 9A), and life imprisonment means twenty-five years.

Carry prescription medication in original packaging with your prescription; many common US medications are unavailable in Pakistan, and pseudoephedrine is strictly controlled and may be confiscated at the border.

Pseudoephedrine may be confiscated at the border.

There is no cap on cash entering Pakistan; on exit adults (18+) may take a maximum of USD 5,000 per trip (USD 30,000/year) and minors (under 18) USD 2,500 per trip (USD 15,000/year).

Drone use in Pakistan is restricted and drones may be confiscated by customs officials on arrival; GPS devices with tracking capabilities are not permitted in the country at all.

Drones may be confiscated by local customs officials.

Bringing alcohol into Pakistan is illegal for residents, visitors, and tourists; even with approval, import is only permitted in limited situations, and travelers entering with alcohol face severe penalties.

Severe penalties for travelers caught with alcohol at entry.

Driving in Pakistan requires your home licence plus a 1968-Convention International Driving Permit (get it before you travel); traffic drives on the left, and DUI can mean jail time and harsh penalties.

Without the correct documents you can be detained and a police report registered in your name; DUI means jail time and harsh penalties.

Photographing military buildings, cantonments and nuclear sites is illegal in Pakistan; also avoid airports, bridges, dams, other infrastructure and photos from aircraft — foreigners have been arrested on suspicion of spying. The law is vague and inconsistently applied.

Arrest on suspicion of espionage.

Pakistan has disabled cellular and internet service during security incidents; tourists cannot buy a SIM at Islamabad airport (registration requires an in-person provider store visit), and tracking GPS devices are not permitted.

Pakistani law prohibits same-sex sexual conduct; conviction carries a fine and imprisonment from 2 years to life, with no anti-discrimination protections.

2 years to life imprisonment.

Insulting or disrespecting religion (blasphemy) is illegal in Pakistan, applies to public and private comments including social media, and can bring severe penalties including death plus public-violence risk; travelers have also been detained for posts critical of the government or military.

Blasphemy: death penalty possible; public-violence risk.