Pakistan: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic

Extreme

Overall verdict for Pakistan: Extreme. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.

Pakistan: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating

The 23 topics at a glance

Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed

💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk 💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits 🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits 🐾AnimalsRelaxed 🚬SmokingRelaxed 🍺Alcohol🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk ❤️Sex & dating🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk 👕Dress codeBanned or serious risk 🕌ReligionBanned or serious risk 🚗DrivingBanned or serious risk 📷Photo & videoBanned or serious risk 🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk 💶FinesAllowed, with limits 🛂Visa & customsAllowed, with limits 🤝BehaviorBanned or serious risk ⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk ⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits 📡Internet & VPNAllowed, with limits 🚁DronesBanned or serious risk 💵Cash & currencyRelaxed 🩺Vaccines & healthRelaxed 💻Remote workAllowed, with limits 🗣️Politics & protestBanned or serious risk

Get the exact rules for your trip

This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for Pakistan, offline, in 23 languages.

Pakistan: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

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How Pakistan compares

With 12 of 23 topics flagged red, Pakistan is stricter than 7 of the 7 other countries in South & Central Asia (regional average: 6.9). Worldwide, Pakistan ranks #9 of 148 for strictness (tied with 5 other countries).

What sets it apart

Dress code: flagged red here, while only 8 of 148 countries are this strict.
Alcohol: flagged red here, while only 13 of 148 countries are this strict.
Behavior: flagged red here, while only 19 of 148 countries are this strict.
Smoking: relaxed here, while 95 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.

What to watch most in Pakistan

👕 Dress code · Guides by topic

Religious sites almost universally require covered shoulders and knees, for everyone.
Several tourist cities fine beachwear worn away from the beach — walking to your hotel in a swimsuit can cost hundreds.
Full face coverings are restricted in some countries and mandatory in others. Both directions carry penalties.

🍺 Alcohol · Guides by topic

Drinking in the street: allowed in some countries, heavily fined in most tourist city centres.
Being visibly drunk in public is an offence in itself in the Gulf, in Japan's stations, and in many resort towns.
Sale hours: several countries block alcohol sales during afternoons, election days or religious holidays.

🤝 Behavior · Guides by topic

Insulting the head of state, the royal family or the flag is a criminal offence in a number of countries.
Losing your temper in public — shouting, aggressive gestures — is treated far more seriously in Asia than in Europe.
Rude gestures that are trivial at home can be a public order offence elsewhere.

Pakistan at a glance

CapitalIslamabad

CurrencyPakistani Rupee (PKR)

LanguageUrdu, English

Emergency number15 police / 1122 secours

Driving sideLeft

Mains voltage230 V

Calling code+92

Time zoneUTC+05:00

Plug typesC · D · G

Land bordersAfghanistan🇨🇳 China 🇮🇳 IndiaIran

Frequently asked questions

Is Pakistan strict with tourists?

Overall verdict: Extreme. 12 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Dress code, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest), 7 require caution.

What can get me fined or arrested in Pakistan?

The strictest topics for travellers in Pakistan are: Drugs, Alcohol, Sex & dating, Dress code, Religion, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Behavior, Jail risk, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.

Where do I find the exact rules for Pakistan?

In LawsTravels: open Pakistan, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.

What is the emergency number in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, dial 15 police / 1122 secours. Capital: Islamabad. Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR). Main language: Urdu, English.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +92. Time zone: UTC+05:00. Plug types: C · D · G.

Countries with the closest profile

🇰🇼 Kuwait 🇸🇴 Somalia 🇲🇷 Mauritania 🇧🇳 Brunei 🇲🇲 Myanmar 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.