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Pakistan

The laws most likely to catch a visitor off guard. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.

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Drugs

PROHIBITED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Medications

RESTRICTED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Customs & Cash

RESTRICTED

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).

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Imports & Customs

RESTRICTED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Alcohol

PROHIBITED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Driving

CONDITIONAL

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Photography & Drones

RESTRICTED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Connectivity

RESTRICTED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

LGBTQ+ Safety

PROHIBITED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan

Public Conduct

PROHIBITED

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.

§ US State Dept — Pakistan
LawLert is an independent app and is not affiliated with any government. It summarizes laws from official government and U.S. State Department sources for general information only. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with official sources and local authorities before you travel.