The legal framework
The Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997 sets penalties by weight: up to two years for under one hundred grams, up to seven years between one hundred grams and one kilogram, and death, life imprisonment or up to fourteen years above one kilogram, with the heaviest penalties reserved for quantities exceeding ten kilograms. The Act was amended in 2022 to extend coverage and update procedures.
Enforcement is carried out by the Anti-Narcotics Force alongside provincial police, and special courts hear narcotics cases.
The country borders a historic production region, which shapes both the scale of trafficking and the severity of the response.
Treatment capacity is limited; a small number of public and non-governmental centres offer detoxification and rehabilitation, mostly in the large cities.
Key points
| Main statute | Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997, amended 2022 |
|---|---|
| Under 100 g | Up to 2 years |
| 100 g to 1 kg | Up to 7 years |
| Over 1 kg | Up to 14 years, life, or death above 10 kg |
| Enforcement | Anti-Narcotics Force and special courts |
In practice
- Public treatment is available in a limited number of centres, mainly in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
- A foreign national arrested should contact their embassy immediately; pre-trial detention is the norm.
- Never accept a package or a bag from anyone to carry across the border.
Cost and coverage
Public treatment where available is free or low cost; private centres vary widely.
Recent changes
The 2022 amendment extended the Act's reach and strengthened investigative powers.
Where to go
- Public detoxification and rehabilitation centres in the major cities.
- Anti-Narcotics Force rehabilitation centres.
- Hospital psychiatry departments.
- Emergencies: 1122.
Worth knowing
This is a jurisdiction where trafficking above a stated quantity can carry the death penalty. The threshold is a weight, not an intention: carrying a package for someone else, or being unaware of what is inside a bag, is no defence in practice. Never carry anything for anyone through these borders.
Frequently asked questions
Does the death penalty apply?
It is available for quantities above ten kilograms, alongside life imprisonment.
Is weight or intention decisive?
Weight. The bands in the 1997 Act determine the penalty.
Official sources and links
- Government of Pakistan — official government portal