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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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 — PakistanMedications
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 — PakistanCustoms & Cash
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 — PakistanImports & Customs
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 — PakistanAlcohol
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 — PakistanDriving
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 — PakistanPhotography & Drones
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 — PakistanConnectivity
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 — PakistanLGBTQ+ Safety
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 — PakistanPublic Conduct
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