Text/Summary: This Act shall be called the Pakistan Penal Code and shall take effect throughout Pakistan.

Keypoints:

• Name: Defines the legal name of the statute.
• Jurisdiction: Applies to the entire territory of Pakistan (all provinces and territories).

Example:

• Scenario: A crime is committed in Lahore (Punjab) or Gwadar (Balochistan).
• Application: Both are covered by this same Code; there is no separate “Punjab Penal Code” for defining crimes.

Text/Summary: Every person shall be liable to punishment under this Code and not otherwise for every act or omission contrary to the provisions thereof, of which he shall be guilty within Pakistan.

Keypoints:

• “Every Person”: Applies to everyone inside Pakistan—citizens, foreigners, and tourists.
• Territorial: If you do the crime on Pakistani soil, you are tried under this law.

Example:

• Scenario: A French tourist gets into a fight and injures a shopkeeper in Karachi.
• Application: Even though he is French, he is punished under the Pakistan Penal Code because the offense happened within Pakistan.

Text/Summary: Any person liable, by any Pakistan Law, to be tried for an offense committed beyond Pakistan shall be dealt with according to the provisions of this Code for any act committed beyond Pakistan in the same manner as if such act had been committed within Pakistan.

Keypoints:

• Extraterritorial (Specific): If a law says a person can be tried in Pakistan for something they did outside, the PPC rules apply.

Example:

• Scenario: A Pakistani soldier stationed in a UN mission abroad commits a crime.
• Application: If the Pakistan Army Act or other laws say he must be tried back home, the definitions of the crime (e.g., murder, theft) will still be taken from the PPC, as if he did it in Pakistan.

Text/Summary: The provisions of this Code apply to any offense committed by:

1. Any citizen of Pakistan or person in the service of Pakistan in any place without and beyond Pakistan;
2. Any person on any ship or aircraft registered in Pakistan wherever it may be.

Keypoints:

• Citizens Abroad: A Pakistani citizen can be prosecuted in Pakistan for a crime committed in another country (e.g., murder in London).
• Flag Principle: A PIA plane flying over the Atlantic Ocean is considered “Pakistani soil.” A crime committed on board is tried under the PPC.

Example:

• Scenario: A Pakistani citizen murders someone in Dubai and then flees back to Lahore.
• Application: Pakistan courts can try him for murder under Section 302 PPC, even though the body and crime scene were in Dubai.

Text/Summary: Nothing in this Act is intended to repeal, vary, suspend, or affect any of the provisions of any Act for punishing mutiny and desertion of officers, soldiers, sailors or airmen in the service of the State, or of any special or local law.

Keypoints:

• Military Exception: The PPC does not override the Army Act or Naval Discipline Act. Soldiers have their own court-martial system for service offenses (like mutiny).
• Special Laws: If a “Special Law” exists (like the Anti-Terrorism Act or NAB Ordinance), that special law usually takes precedence over the general PPC.

Example:

• Scenario: A soldier refuses to obey a commander’s order during a war.
• Application: He will be tried by a Court Martial under the Army Act, not by a civilian magistrate under the PPC, because Section 5 protects the Army Act.

Text/Summary: Every definition of a crime in this Code (e.g., murder, theft) is automatically subject to the “General Exceptions” (Chapter IV), even if the definition doesn’t explicitly say so.

Keypoints:

• Automatic Defense: You don’t need to write “unless done in self-defense” in every single law. It is assumed.
• Children/Insanity: If a law says “Whoever kills…”, Section 6 ensures it essentially means “Whoever (except a child or insane person) kills…”

Example:

• Scenario: A 6-year-old child fires a gun and kills someone.
• Application: The definition of Murder (Section 300) doesn’t mention age. But because of Section 6, the exception for children (Section 82) applies automatically. The child is innocent.

Text/Summary: Every expression which is explained in any part of this Code is used in every part of this Code in conformity with such explanation.

Keypoints:

• Consistency: If a word is defined once, it means the exact same thing everywhere else in the book.

Text/Summary: The pronoun “he” and its derivatives are used of any person, whether male or female.

Keypoints:

• He = She: When the law says “He who commits theft,” it legally includes women. There is no need to write “He or She.”

Text/Summary: Unless the contrary appears from the context, words importing the singular number include the plural number, and words importing the plural number include the singular number.

Keypoints:

• One or Many: “Offender” includes “Offenders.” “Vehicle” includes “Vehicles.”

Text/Summary: “Man” denotes a male human being of any age; “Woman” denotes a female human being of any age.

Keypoints:

• Age Irrelevant: In Pakistani law, a 1-day-old baby girl is legally a “Woman” for the purpose of definitions (e.g., if a crime is against a “woman”).

Text/Summary: The word “person” includes any Company or Association or body of persons, whether incorporated or not.

Keypoints:

• Corporate Liability: You can file a criminal case against a “Company” (e.g., a bank or factory), not just a human.

Example:

• Scenario: A factory dumps toxic waste.
• Application: The Factory (Company) is a “Person” under Section 11 and can be fined.

Text/Summary: The word “public” includes any class of the public or any community.

Keypoints:

• Sub-groups: “Public” doesn’t have to mean everyone in Pakistan. It can mean “residents of Gulberg” or “students of Punjab University.”

(This section used to define “Queen” in the British era but was removed after independence).

Text/Summary: Denotes all officers or servants continued, appointed, or employed in Pakistan by or under the authority of the Federal or Provincial Government.

Keypoints:

• Govt Employees: Covers everyone from a federal secretary to a peon.

(Dealt with “Government of India” – Removed after 1947).

Text/Summary: The word “Government” denotes the person or persons authorized by law to administer executive Government in Pakistan, or in any part thereof.

Keypoints:

• Scope: Includes both Federal Government and Provincial Governments.

(Dealt with “Presidency” – Obsolete).

Text/Summary: “Judge” is not just someone officially designated as a Judge, but anyone empowered by law to give a definitive judgment in a legal proceeding.

Keypoints:

• Magistrates: A Magistrate exercising jurisdiction is a “Judge.”
• Panchayat: In some cases, members of a legal panchayat can be “Judges.”

Text/Summary: Denotes a Judge who is empowered by law to act judicially alone, or a body of Judges which is empowered by law to act judicially as a body.

(This is one of the most important definitions in the entire Code).

• Text/Summary: The words “public servant” denote a person falling under any of the following descriptions:
  1. Every Commissioned Officer in the Military, Naval, or Air Forces of Pakistan.
  2. Every Judge.
  3. Every Officer of a Court of Justice (investigators, liquidators, oath commissioners).
  4. Every juryman or assessor assisting a Court.
  5. Every Arbitrator to whom a cause is referred by a Court.
  6. Every person empowered to confine others (Jailers, Police).
  7. Every Officer whose duty is to prevent offenses, give information of offenses, or protect public health/safety.
  8. Every Officer who handles Government property, taxes, or contracts.
  9. Every Officer who handles election duties (electoral rolls, conducting elections).
• Keypoints:
  • Broad Scope: If you work for the government, or if you are a private citizen given a specific official duty (like an arbitrator), you are a “Public Servant.”
  • Stricter Laws: Public Servants have higher responsibilities. If they take a gift, it is “Corruption” (Section 161). If a normal person takes a gift, it is usually fine.
• Example:
  • Scenario: A private citizen is appointed by the Election Commission to count votes on election day.
  • Application: On that day, he is a Public Servant (Section 21, Clause 9). If he cheats, he is punished as a corrupt official, not a private citizen.

Text/Summary: The words “moveable property” are intended to include corporeal (physical) property of every description, except land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything which is attached to the earth.

Keypoints:

• What counts: Money, cars, jewelry, animals, furniture, severed crops.
• What doesn’t count: Houses, land, trees (while standing), or ceiling fans (while bolted to the roof).

Example:

• Scenario: A man cuts down a tree from a forest and takes it away.
• Application: While standing, the tree was “immoveable.” The moment he cut it, it became “moveable property,” and taking it becomes Theft (Section 378).

Text/Summary:

• Wrongful Gain: Gaining property by unlawful means that you are not legally entitled to.
• Wrongful Loss: Losing property by unlawful means that you are legally entitled to.

Keypoints:

• Two Sides: Usually, every theft involves both wrongful gain (for the thief) and wrongful loss (for the victim).
• Unlawful Means: You must break a law to get it. Buying a house cheaply is “gain,” but not “wrongful gain.” Stealing it is.

Text/Summary: Whoever does anything with the intention of causing wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another person, is said to do that thing “dishonestly”.

Keypoints:

• The Intent: If you made a mistake (e.g., took the wrong umbrella), it is not “dishonest” because you didn’t intend wrongful loss.
• Crucial for Theft: You cannot be convicted of theft unless the prosecution proves you acted “Dishonestly.”

Text/Summary: A person is said to do a thing fraudulently if he does that thing with intent to defraud but not otherwise.

Keypoints:

• Deception vs. Injury: “Dishonestly” requires financial gain/loss. “Fraudulently” requires deceit (tricking someone), even if no money is lost immediately.

Example:

• Scenario: You forge a certificate to get a job.
• Application: You acted “Fraudulently” (to deceive the employer), even if you intend to work hard and not steal money.

Text/Summary: A person is said to have “reason to believe” a thing if he has sufficient cause to believe that thing but not otherwise.

Keypoints:

• Not just “Suspect”: It means you had enough facts to know the truth.

Example:

• Scenario: You buy a brand new iPhone 15 for 5,000 PKR from a stranger in a dark alley.
• Application: You have “reason to believe” it is stolen property (Section 411), because the price and location are suspicious.

Text/Summary: When property is in the possession of a person’s wife, clerk, or servant, on account of that person, it is in that person’s possession within the meaning of this Code.

Keypoints:

• Constructive Possession: If your driver is holding your bag, legally you are holding the bag. Stealing from the driver is stealing from you.

Text/Summary: A person is said to “counterfeit” who causes one thing to resemble another thing, intending by that resemblance to practice deception, or knowing it to be likely that deception will thereby be practiced.

Keypoints:

• Exact Copy Not Needed: The fake doesn’t have to be perfect. If it’s close enough to fool an ordinary person, it is a counterfeit.

Text/Summary: The word “document” denotes any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures, or marks… intended to be used as evidence of that matter.

Keypoints:

• Not just paper: A file, a map, a cheque, or even an inscription on a stone or metal plate is a “document.”

Example:

• Scenario: A milkman makes marks on a wall to count how many liters he delivered.
• Application: Those marks on the wall are a “document” legally and can be used as evidence in court.

Text/Summary: A document which creates, extends, transfers, restricts, extinguishes, or releases any legal right.

Keypoints:

• High Value: These are documents worth money or rights (e.g., A Property Deed, A Cheque, A Divorce Deed).
• Higher Punishment: Stealing or forging a “Valuable Security” carries a much higher punishment than a normal document.

Text/Summary: The words “a will” denote any testamentary document.

Keypoints:

• Testamentary: Any document where a person writes how their property should be distributed after they die.

Text/Summary: In every part of this Code… words which refer to acts done extend also to illegal omissions.

Keypoints:

• Doing vs. Not Doing: A crime isn’t just doing something bad (like shooting). It is also not doing something you are legally required to do (like a lifeguard watching someone drown and doing nothing).

Example:

• Scenario: A police officer sees a murder happening but intentionally turns his back and walks away.
• Application: He is guilty of an “Act” (a crime) because his “Omission” (failure to intervene) is illegal.

Text/Summary: The word “act” denotes as well a series of acts as a single act: the word “omission” denotes as well a series of omissions as a single omission.

(This is a Super-Section. It is used in almost every murder case involving more than one person).

• Text/Summary: When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.
• Keypoints:
  • Shared Brain: If you plan a crime together, you share the punishment together.
  • Vicarious Liability: It does not matter who pulled the trigger. If you were there to help, you are equally guilty.
• Example:
  • Scenario: Four men go to attack a rival. A and B hold the victim’s hands. C stands guard. D stabs the victim. The victim dies.
  • Application: All four (A, B, C, and D) will be charged with Section 302/34 (Murder with Common Intention). A, B, and C cannot say “We didn’t kill him, D did.”

Text/Summary: Whenever an act, which is criminal only by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention, is done by several persons, each of such persons who joins in the act with such knowledge or intention is liable for the act…

Keypoints:

• Different Intent: If two people do the same act but have different knowledge, they are judged differently.

Example:

• Scenario: You give a man a drink. You think it is water. Your friend knows it is poison but encourages you to give it.
• Application: You are innocent (no intent). Your friend is guilty of murder (criminal knowledge), even though he didn’t hand over the glass.

Text/Summary: Wherever the causing of a certain effect… is an offense, it is understood that the causing of that effect partly by an act and partly by an omission is the same offense.

Example:

• Scenario: A jailer intentionally beats a prisoner (Act) and also refuses to give him food (Omission). The prisoner dies from the combination of weakness and injuries.
• Application: The jailer is guilty of murder.

Text/Summary: When an offense is committed by means of several acts, whoever intentionally cooperates in the commission of that offense by doing any one of those acts… commits that offense.

Keypoints:

• Teamwork: Even if your specific small action wasn’t enough to kill the person alone, if it contributed to the death, you are guilty.

Example:

• Scenario: A and B want to kill Z. A gives Z a small dose of poison at breakfast. B gives Z a small dose at dinner. Neither dose was enough to kill alone, but together they kill Z.
• Application: Both A and B are guilty of murder.

Text/Summary: Where several persons are engaged or concerned in the commission of a criminal act, they may be guilty of different offenses by means of that act.

Keypoints:

• Different Motives: Unlike Section 34 (where everyone has the same plan), here people might be doing the same act but for different reasons, leading to different crimes.

Example:

• Scenario: Z insults A. A loses his temper (Grave Provocation) and attacks Z. B (who hates Z independently) takes advantage of the fight and kills Z with malice.
• Application: A is guilty of Manslaughter (Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder) because he was provoked. B is guilty of Murder because he had cool, calculated malice. They struck the same victim but get different sentences.

Text/Summary: A person is said to cause an effect “voluntarily” when he causes it by means whereby he intended to cause it, or by means which, at the time of employing those means, he knew or had reason to believe to be likely to cause it.

Keypoints:

• Example: If you set fire to a house at night to collect insurance, and people die inside, you caused their death “voluntarily” because you knew it was likely to happen, even if you didn’t specifically want them to die.

Text/Summary: Except in the chapters and sections mentioned… the word “offense” denotes a thing made punishable by this Code.

Keypoints:

• Definition: An offense is simply any act that the law says is punishable. If the law doesn’t forbid it, it’s not an offense.
• Special Laws: In certain sections, “offense” also includes things punishable under other special laws (like the Arms Act or Anti-Terrorism Act).

Text/Summary: A “special law” is a law applicable to a particular subject.

Keypoints:

• Precedence: A special law (like the Anti-Terrorism Act or Cybercrime Act) usually overrides the general law (PPC).
• Example: If you post hate speech online, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Special Law) will likely be used instead of just the PPC.

Text/Summary: A “local law” is a law applicable only to a particular part of Pakistan.

Keypoints:

• Geography-Specific: Laws that only apply in Punjab (e.g., Punjab Rented Premises Act) or Sindh.
• Effect: If you are in Punjab, you are bound by Punjab’s local laws + Federal laws.

Text/Summary: The word “illegal” is applicable to everything which is an offense, or which is prohibited by law, or which furnishes ground for a civil action.

• A person is said to be “legally bound to do” whatever it is illegal in him to omit.

Keypoints:

• Civil & Criminal: “Illegal” covers crimes (theft) AND civil wrongs (breach of contract/tort).
• Duty: If the law says you must do something (e.g., a father feeding his child), failing to do it is “illegal.”

Text/Summary: The word “injury” denotes any harm whatever illegally caused to any person, in body, mind, reputation or property.

Keypoints:

• Broad Definition: It’s not just a physical wound.
• Mind: Psychological trauma caused by a crime is “injury.”
• Reputation: Defamation causes “injury” to reputation.
• Property: Damaging a car is “injury” to property.

Text/Summary: The word “life” denotes the life of a human being, unless the contrary appears from the context.

Keypoints:

• Humans Only: In the PPC, “Life” refers to humans. Killing a dog is not “taking a life” in the same section; it is “Mischief” (damaging property).

Text/Summary: The word “death” denotes the death of a human being, unless the contrary appears from the context.

Text/Summary: The word “animal” denotes any living creature, other than a human being.

Text/Summary: The word “vessel” denotes anything made for the conveyance by water of human beings or of property.

Keypoints:

• Scope: Includes ships, boats, rafts, and ferries.

Text/Summary: Wherever the word “year” or the word “month” is used, it is to be understood that the year or the month is to be reckoned according to the British calendar.

Keypoints:

• Gregorian Calendar: The law uses the Jan-Dec calendar, not the Lunar/Hijri calendar, for calculating sentences (unless specified otherwise in Sharia laws).

Text/Summary: The word “section” denotes one of those portions of a Chapter of this Code which are distinguished by prefixed numeral figures.

Text/Summary: The word “oath” includes a solemn affirmation substituted by law for an oath… to be made before a public servant or to be used for the purpose of proof.

Keypoints:

• Legal Weight: Lying under “Oath” is a specific crime (Perjury/False Evidence).

Text/Summary: Nothing is said to be done or believed in “good faith” which is done or believed without due care and attention.

Keypoints:

• Not just intention: You can’t just say “I meant well.” You must prove you were careful.
• Medical Example: An unqualified person performs surgery “to save a life” but kills the patient. This is not Good Faith because they acted without “due care” (qualification).
• Defense: Many protections in the law (like self-defense or mistakes) rely on proving you acted in Good Faith.

(Added later to deal with sheltering criminals)

• Text/Summary: “Harbour” includes supplying a person with shelter, food, drink, money, clothes, arms, ammunition, or means of conveyance, or assisting a person to evade apprehension.
• Keypoints:
  • Helping a fugitive: If you hide a criminal in your house or give them money to run away, you are guilty of “Harbouring.”
  • Exception: In some sections, harbouring a husband or wife is not a crime (due to spousal privilege), but this depends on the specific crime committed.

Text/Summary: The punishments to which offenders are liable under the provisions of this Code are:
​Qisas (Retribution)
​Diyat (Blood Money)
​Arsh (Compensation for specific physical injury)
​Daman (Compensation determined by the court)
​Ta’zir (Discretionary punishment)
​Death
​Imprisonment for life
​Imprisonment (Two descriptions: Rigorous [with hard labor] or Simple)
​Forfeiture of property
​Fine
​Keypoints:
​Islamic Punishments (1-5): These were added to bring the law in line with Sharia.
​Qisas: “Eye for an eye.” The punishment is the same as the injury caused (e.g., life for life).
​Diyat/Arsh/Daman: Financial compensation paid to the victim or their heirs instead of physical punishment.
​Ta’zir: This is the standard jail time or fine given by the state when Qisas is not applicable.

In every case in which sentence of death shall have been passed, the Federal Government or the Provincial Government… may, without the consent of the offender, commute the punishment for any other punishment provided by this Code.
​Keypoints:
​Mercy: The government has the power to change a death penalty to life imprisonment (or less) even if the prisoner doesn’t ask for it.

In every case in which sentence of imprisonment for life shall have been passed, the Provincial Government… may, without the consent of the offender, commute the punishment for imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
​Keypoints:
​14 Years Limit: If the government shows mercy on a “Lifer,” they cannot reduce the sentence to less than 14 years in total.

Nothing in section 54 or section 55 shall derogate from the right of the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment.
​Keypoints:
​Presidential Power: The President of Pakistan has the ultimate constitutional authority (Article 45 of Constitution) to pardon anyone, separate from the PPC rules.

​(Dealt with “Transportation to colonies” – old British law).

In calculating fractions of terms of punishment, imprisonment for life shall be reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for twenty-five years.
​Keypoints:
​The “25 Year” Rule: This answers the common question: “How long is a Life Sentence?” For calculation purposes (e.g., if a law says “half of a life sentence”), it is counted as 25 years.

(Dealt with Transportation/Banishment).

In every case in which an offender is punishable with imprisonment… it shall be competent to the Court… to direct that such imprisonment shall be wholly rigorous, or that such imprisonment shall be wholly simple, or that any part of such imprisonment shall be rigorous and the rest simple.
​Keypoints:
​Rigorous: Hard labor (working in jail factories, farming, cleaning). Usually for serious crimes like theft or robbery.
​Simple: Confinement without hard labor. Usually for white-collar crimes or minor offenses (like defamation or simple road rage).

​(Dealt with Forfeiture of Property – Removed to comply with Sharia, except where specifically mentioned).

​(Dealt with Forfeiture in respect of offenders punishable with death).

Where no sum is expressed to which a fine may extend, the amount of fine to which the offender is liable is unlimited, but shall not be excessive.
​Keypoints:
​Discretion: If a law says “punishable with fine” but doesn’t write a number (like “50,000 PKR”), the judge decides the amount.
​Fairness: The judge cannot set a fine so high that it is impossible for the person to pay (e.g., fining a poor laborer 1 Crore).

In every case of an offense punishable with imprisonment as well as fine… the Court may direct that, in default of payment of the fine, the offender shall suffer imprisonment for a certain term.
​Keypoints:
​”In Default”: If you are fined but refuse to pay (or can’t pay), you go to jail instead. This jail time is extra, on top of your original sentence.

The term for which the Court directs the offender to be imprisoned in default of payment of a fine shall not exceed one-fourth of the term of imprisonment which is the maximum fixed for the offense.

Keypoints:

• The Calculation: If the maximum punishment for a crime is 4 years, and you don’t pay the fine, the judge can only add 1 year (1/4th) extra to your sentence.

The imprisonment which the Court imposes in default of payment of a fine may be of any description to which the offender might have been sentenced for the offense.
​Keypoints:
​Same Type: If the crime carries “Rigorous Imprisonment,” the extra jail time for not paying the fine will also be “Rigorous.”

If the offense be punishable with fine only (no jail time in original law), the imprisonment in default of payment shall be Simple, and the term shall not exceed:
​2 months: If fine is ≤ 50 PKR.
​4 months: If fine is ≤ 100 PKR.
​6 months: In any other case.
​Keypoints:
​Max Cap: You can never be jailed for more than 6 months just for failing to pay a “fine-only” penalty.

The imprisonment which is imposed in default of payment of a fine shall terminate whenever that fine is either paid or levied by process of law.
​Keypoints:
​Freedom: If you are in jail because you didn’t pay, and your family pays the fine the next day, you are released immediately.

If, before the expiration of the term of imprisonment… such a proportion of the fine be paid… the imprisonment shall terminate.
​Example:
​Scenario: You are sentenced to 4 months for not paying a 40,000 PKR fine. After 1 month, you pay 30,000 PKR.
​Application: Since you have served part of the time and paid the rest, you are released.

The fine may be levied at any time within six years after the passing of the sentence. If the offender dies, his property is still liable for the debt.
​Keypoints:
​Debt to State: Dying does not erase a fine. The government can seize money from the dead person’s inheritance before it goes to the heirs.

Where anything which is an offense is made up of parts… the offender shall not be punished with the punishment of more than one of such his offenses, unless it be so expressly provided.
​Keypoints:
​Double Jeopardy Prevention: If you hit a man with a stick 50 times, you are punished for one beating, not 50 separate assaults.

If it is doubtful which of several offenses a person is guilty of, he shall be punished for the offense for which the lowest punishment is provided.
​Keypoints:
​Benefit of Doubt: If the court knows you did something bad (Crime A or Crime B) but isn’t sure which one, they must give you the lighter sentence.

Whenever any person is convicted of an offense for which under this Code the Court has power to sentence him to rigorous imprisonment, the Court may… order that the offender shall be kept in solitary confinement for any portion or portions of his imprisonment.
​Limits:
​Max 1 month (if total sentence is ≤ 6 months).
​Max 2 months (if total sentence is 6 months to 1 year).
​Max 3 months (if total sentence is > 1 year).
​Keypoints:
​Hard Limit: No one can be put in solitary confinement for more than 3 months total in Pakistan under the PPC.

In executing a sentence of solitary confinement, such confinement shall in no case exceed fourteen days at a time, with intervals between the periods of solitary confinement of not less duration than such periods.
​Keypoints:
​Breaks: You cannot do the 3 months all at once. It must be broken up (e.g., 14 days solitary, 14 days normal, 14 days solitary).

Whoever, having been convicted… of an offense punishable under Chapter XII (Coins/Stamps) or Chapter XVII (Property/Theft) with imprisonment of 3 years or upwards, is guilty of any offense punishable under either of those Chapters… shall be subject to imprisonment for life or imprisonment up to 10 years.
​Keypoints:
​Repeat Offenders: If you are a habitual thief or counterfeiter, the second time you get caught, the punishment increases drastically (potentially Life Imprisonment).

Nothing is an offense which is done by a person who is, or who by reason of a mistake of fact (not mistake of law) in good faith believes himself to be, bound by law to do it.
​Keypoints:
​”Just Following Orders”: If a soldier fires on a mob because his officer ordered him to, and the order was legal (or he believed it was), he is protected.
​Mistake of Fact vs. Law: “I didn’t know he was innocent” is a valid defense (Fact). “I didn’t know killing was illegal” is not a valid defense (Law).
​Example:
​Scenario: A soldier, obeying the orders of his superior officer, shoots at a crowd. The order was lawful under the circumstances.
​Application: The soldier has committed no offense.

Nothing is an offense which is done by a Judge when acting judicially in the exercise of any power which is, or which in good faith he believes to be, given to him by law.
​Keypoints:
​Judicial Immunity: You cannot sue or arrest a judge for sentencing someone to death, even if the judgment is later overturned by a higher court, as long as the judge acted in good faith.

Nothing is an offense which is done in pursuance of… a judgment or order of a Court of Justice.
​Keypoints:
​The Executioner: The hangman who hangs a prisoner is not guilty of murder. He is protected by Section 78 because he is following a valid court order.

Nothing is an offense which is done by a person who is justified by law, or who by reason of a mistake of fact… believes himself to be justified by law, in doing it.
​Keypoints:
​Citizen’s Arrest: If you see someone attacking a woman and you knock him out, you are “Justified by Law” (Private Defense).
​Honest Mistake: If you see A attacking B and you knock A out to save B, but it turns out they were just actors rehearsing a play, you are protected because you believed it was a real attack (Mistake of Fact).

Nothing is an offense which is done by accident or misfortune, and without any criminal intention or knowledge, in the doing of a lawful act in a lawful manner by lawful means and with proper care and caution.
​Keypoints:
​Pure Accident: If you are driving at the speed limit, following all rules, and a child suddenly jumps in front of your car and dies, it is an accident under Section 80. You are not guilty.
​Condition: The act must be lawful. If you were speeding (unlawful act) and hit the child, Section 80 does not apply.

Nothing is an offense merely by reason of its being done with the knowledge that it is likely to cause harm, if it be done without any criminal intention to cause harm, and in good faith for the purpose of preventing or avoiding other harm to person or property.
​Keypoints:
​Doctrine of Necessity (Lesser Evil): You can intentionally cause small harm to prevent a huge disaster.
​Example:
​Scenario: A huge fire is spreading through a colony. The fire captain decides to demolish a house (intentional damage) to create a gap and stop the fire from burning the whole town.
​Application: He is innocent under Section 81. He caused harm to save more lives/property.

Nothing is an offense which is done by a child under ten years of age.
(Note: The age was originally 7, but amended to 10 in Pakistan to align with juvenile justice standards).
​Keypoints:
​Doli Incapax (Incapable of Crime): A 9-year-old cannot legally commit a crime in Pakistan. If a 9-year-old shoots someone, they cannot be punished by a criminal court.

Nothing is an offense which is done by a child above ten years of age and under fourteen, who has not attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge of the nature and consequences of his conduct.
​Keypoints:
​The Grey Area: If a 12-year-old commits a crime, the judge must decide: “Did this child understand what they were doing?”
​If yes (Mature) → Punished (but sent to Juvenile school, not adult jail).
​If no (Immature) → Acquitted under Section 83.

Nothing is an offense which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is incapable of knowing the nature of the act, or that he is doing what is either wrong or contrary to law.
​Keypoints:
​Insanity Defense: The person must be legally insane at the specific moment they committed the crime.
​Standard: It is not enough to be “depressed” or “angry.” You must be so mentally ill that you don’t know you are killing a human being (e.g., hallucinating that you are cutting a vegetable).

Nothing is an offense which is done by a person who… is incapable of knowing the nature of the act… provided that the thing which intoxicated him was administered to him without his knowledge or against his will.
​Keypoints:
​Involuntary Intoxication: If someone spikes your drink with drugs and you go crazy and punch someone, you are innocent.

In cases where an act done is not an offense unless done with a particular knowledge or intent, a person who does the act in a state of intoxication shall be liable to be dealt with as if he had the same knowledge as he would have had if he had not been intoxicated, unless the thing which intoxicated him was administered to him without his knowledge or against his will.
​Keypoints:
​Voluntary Intoxication is NO Defense: If you drink alcohol yourself (Voluntary) and then kill someone, you cannot say “I was drunk, I didn’t know what I was doing.” The law treats you as if you were sober.

Nothing which is not intended to cause death, or grievous hurt, and which is not known by the doer to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, is an offense by reason of any harm which it may cause… to any person above 18 years of age, who has given consent, whether express or implied, to suffer that harm.
​Keypoints:
​Sports Defense: This is the “Boxing Match” or “Cricket” rule.
​Implied Consent: When you step into a boxing ring or a cricket field, you imply consent that you might get punched or hit by a ball. If you get a black eye, you cannot sue your opponent for “Hurt.”
​Limit: This does not apply if the opponent intended to kill you or break the rules to cause serious injury.

Nothing, which is not intended to cause death, is an offense… if it be done in good faith for the benefit of the person… who has given consent.
​Keypoints:
​Surgeons: This protects doctors. If a surgeon cuts you open (which is technically “causing hurt”) to remove a tumor, they are not guilty because you consented, and it was for your benefit.
​Risk: Even if the surgery is risky, as long as the doctor acted in good faith and you signed the consent form, they are protected under Section 88.

Similar to Section 88, but for people who cannot give consent themselves (children under 12 or insane persons). The guardian (parent) gives consent on their behalf.
​Keypoints:
​Parental Rights: A father can consent to a surgeon operating on his 5-year-old child.
​Discipline: This section also historically protects parents/teachers inflicting minor discipline for the child’s “benefit” (though modern laws like the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act now restrict this severely).

A consent is not valid consent if:
​It is given by a person under fear of injury.
​It is given under a misconception of fact (and the doer knows this).
​It is given by a person of unsound mind or intoxication.
​It is given by a child under 12 years of age.
​Keypoints:
​Duress: If you put a gun to someone’s head and they say “Okay, take my wallet,” that is not consent. It is still Robbery.
​Deception: If a man pretends to be a doctor and says “I need to touch you to cure you,” and the patient agrees, that consent is invalid because it was based on a lie (misconception).

Some acts are crimes regardless of consent (e.g., miscarriage).
​Keypoints:
​Public Morality: You cannot consent to something that is illegal for society. For example, a woman cannot “consent” to a miscarriage (abortion) unless it is to save her life. Even with her consent, it remains a crime under PPC (unless specific medical exceptions apply).

Nothing is an offense… if it is impossible to get consent.
​Keypoints:
​Emergency Room Rule: A man is found unconscious in a car crash with a severe head injury. The surgeon operates immediately without waiting for the family (consent).
​Protection: The surgeon is protected under Section 92 because it was an emergency, done in good faith for the patient’s benefit.

No communication made in good faith is an offense by reason of any harm to the person to whom it is made, if it is made for the benefit of that person.
​Keypoints:
​The “Bad News” Rule: A doctor tells a patient, “I am sorry, you have terminal cancer and only 1 month to live.” The patient dies of shock from hearing the news.
​Application: The doctor is not guilty of causing death, because the communication was necessary for the patient’s benefit (to settle affairs).

Except for Murder and offenses against the State (Treason), nothing is an offense which is done by a person who is compelled to do it by threats which, at the time of doing it, reasonably cause the apprehension that instant death to that person will otherwise be the consequence.
​Keypoints:
​”Gun to the Head” Defense: If robbers put a gun to a locksmith’s head and say “Open this safe or we kill you,” the locksmith is innocent of theft.
​The Exception: You cannot kill an innocent person to save yourself. If A puts a gun to B’s head and says “Kill C or I will kill you,” and B kills C, B is guilty of murder. The law expects you to die rather than kill an innocent.

Nothing is an offense by reason that it causes… harm that is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of such harm.
​Keypoints:
​Triviality: Also known as De Minimis Non Curat Lex (The law does not concern itself with trifles).
​Example: If someone bumps into you in a crowded market, or tears a piece of paper worth 1 Rupee from your notebook. Technically it is “Assault” or “Mischief,” but the court will dismiss it under Section 95.

Nothing is an offense which is done in the exercise of the right of private defense.

Keypoints:

• Absolute Right: If you prove you acted in legitimate self-defense, you are 100% acquitted. It is not a “mitigating factor” (reducing punishment); it is a total defense.

Every person has a right to defend:

1. His own body, and the body of any other person, against any offense affecting the human body.
2. The property (moveable or immoveable) of himself or of any other person, against Theft, Robbery, Mischief, or Criminal Trespass.

Keypoints:

• Not just you: You can legally use force to save a stranger being attacked on the street.
• Not just your house: You can use force to protect your neighbor’s house from burglars.

Even if the attacker is legally “innocent” (e.g., a madman, a child, or someone drunk), you still have the right to defend yourself against them.

Example:

• Scenario: A lunatic attacks you with a knife. He cannot be punished (Section 84), but you can still hit him (or even kill him if necessary) to save your life.

There is NO right of private defense against:

1. Public Servants (Police): If a public servant acts in good faith under color of his office (even if strictly not justified by law), unless acts cause apprehension of death/grievous hurt.
2. Time to Recourse: If you have time to call the police or get help from authorities, you cannot take the law into your own hands.
3. Proportionality: You cannot inflict more harm than is necessary for the purpose of defense.

Keypoints:

• The Limit: If a thief slaps you and runs away, you cannot shoot him in the back. That is “more harm than necessary.”

(This is the most critical section for murder trials).

You are legally allowed to kill the attacker if the assault causes a reasonable apprehension of:

1. Death
2. Grievous Hurt (e.g., losing an eye/limb)
3. Rape
4. Unnatural Lust (Sodomy)
5. Kidnapping or Abducting
6. Wrongful Confinement (where you cannot contact public authorities for help)

Keypoints:

• License to Kill: In these 6 specific situations, the law values your life/safety over the criminal’s life.

If the offense is NOT one of the 6 listed in Section 100, you can cause any harm except death.

Example:

• Scenario: Someone is punching you (Simple Hurt).
• Application: You can punch them back, break their nose, or knock them out. But you cannot stab them in the heart or shoot them.

The right starts as soon as a reasonable apprehension of danger arises (even before they hit you) and continues as long as such apprehension exists.

Keypoints:

• Pre-emptive Strike: You don’t have to wait to be stabbed. If he pulls a knife and runs at you, the right has started.
• Retreat: Once the attacker runs away or is disarmed, the right stops. If you chase him and beat him, that is revenge, not defense.

You can kill to protect property ONLY in these cases:

1. Robbery (Theft with force/fear)
2. House-breaking by night
3. Mischief by fire (burning a building used as a dwelling or storage)
4. Theft/Mischief/Trespass where there is a fear that death or grievous hurt will be caused if you don’t defend.

Keypoints:

• Night vs. Day: You can kill a burglar at night (Section 103), but usually not a simple trespasser during the day.

If the property crime is NOT one of the 4 listed in Section 103 (e.g., simple theft of an apple), you can cause any harm except death.

Theft: Right continues until the offender has retreated or the property is recovered or police arrive.

Robbery: Right continues as long as the fear of death/hurt continues.

Night Breaking: Right continues as long as the trespasser is in the house.

If you are attacked by a mob attempting to kill you, and you cannot fire without risking hitting an innocent bystander (e.g., a child in the crowd), the law says you take the risk.

Keypoints:

• Example: A mob surrounds your house to kill you. You fire into the crowd to save yourself. One bullet hits an innocent child mixed in with the mob. You are protected under Section 106.

A person “abets” (helps) the doing of a thing in three ways:

1. Instigation: Urging or encouraging someone to do it.
2. Conspiracy: Engaging with one or more people in a plan to do it (if an act is done to follow that plan).
3. Intentional Aid: Doing something (or illegally omitting to do something) to make the crime easier.

Keypoints:

• Not just “Helping”: You can abet a crime just by words (Instigation).
• Silence: If a police officer sees a man being beaten and intentionally walks away to let it happen, he is abetting by “Illegal Omission.”

An “Abettor” is a person who abets an offense, or who abets an act which would be an offense if committed by a person capable by law of committing an offense.

Keypoints:

• Using an Innocent Agent: If you tell a lunatic or a child (under 10) to burn down a house, the child is innocent, but YOU are guilty of Arson as an Abettor. You cannot hide behind an innocent person.
• Success not required: If you offer someone money to kill your enemy, and they refuse, you are still guilty of “Abetment to Murder.”

A person in Pakistan who abets a crime in another country is liable.

Example:

• Scenario: A person in Lahore calls a hitman in Dubai and orders a murder in Dubai.
• Application: The person in Lahore is guilty of Abetment under the PPC.

If the crime is actually committed, and there is no specific punishment written for abetment in the code, the Abettor receives the same punishment as the main criminal.

Keypoints:

• Equal Liability: If you give a gun to a killer, and he kills someone, you both get the Death Penalty or Life Imprisonment. The law treats the planner and the doer equally in this section.

If you abet someone to do a crime, but they do it with a different motive, you are still punished as if they had your motive.

If you abet Act A, but the criminal does Act B, you are liable for Act B IF it was a “probable consequence” of abetting Act A.

Example:

• Scenario: You tell a man to burn a specific house (Arson). While burning the house, a person inside dies (Murder).
• Application: Since death is a probable consequence of burning an occupied house, you are liable for Arson AND Murder.

The abettor is liable for the act abetted AND the act done, if they are distinct offenses.

Similar to Section 111. If the act causes a different effect than intended (e.g., grievous hurt instead of simple hurt), the abettor is liable for the severe effect if they knew it was likely.

If an abettor is present at the scene of the crime, the law treats them as if they committed the crime themselves.

Keypoints:

• Mastermind on Scene: If a gang leader stands by and watches his gang beat someone, he is not just an “Abettor”; he is a principal offender.

If you abet a serious crime (Death/Life Imprisonment) but it does NOT happen:

• Punishment: Up to 7 years imprisonment + Fine.
• If Hurt is caused: Up to 14 years.

Example:

• Scenario: You hire a hitman to kill someone. The police catch the hitman before he shoots.
• Application: You get 7 years for the attempt/abetment.

If you abet a lesser crime (e.g., Theft) and it does not happen:

• Punishment: One-fourth (1/4) of the longest term provided for that offense.
• Public Servant: If a public servant abets, they get one-half (1/2) the punishment.

Abetting a mob or the general public (e.g., putting up posters telling people to riot).

Punishment: Up to 3 years.

If you know a serious crime is planned, and you illegally conceal it (lie to police or hide evidence) to help it happen.

Punishment: Up to 7 years.

If a police officer or official hides a crime plan they were supposed to stop.

Punishment: Up to 1/2 of the longest term of the offense (if committed) or 1/4 (if not committed).

Similar to Section 118, but for less serious crimes.

Punishment: Up to 1/8 of the longest term (if committed) or 1/4 (if not committed).

When two or more persons agree to do, or cause to be done:

1. An illegal act, OR
2. An act which is not illegal by illegal means,

• …such an agreement is designated a criminal conspiracy.

Keypoints:

• The Agreement IS the Crime: Unlike Abetment, where you usually need an attempt or an act, in Conspiracy, the moment you agree to commit a crime, you are guilty.
• Proviso: If the agreement is to commit an offense (crime), no further act is needed. If the agreement is to do something else (e.g., a civil wrong), some overt act must be done in pursuance of the agreement.

1. Serious Conspiracy: If you conspire to commit an offense punishable with Death, Imprisonment for Life, or Rigorous Imprisonment of 2 years or upwards, and no specific punishment is provided for conspiracy in the Code:
   • Punishment: You are punished as if you had abetted the offense (meaning you can get the same sentence as the main criminal).
2. Minor Conspiracy: If you conspire to commit an offense not described above (less than 2 years imprisonment):
   • Punishment: Up to 6 months imprisonment, or Fine, or both.

Whoever wages war against Pakistan, or attempts to wage such war, or abets the waging of such war, shall be punished with Death or Imprisonment for Life and shall also be liable to fine.

Keypoints:

• The Ultimate Crime: This is the equivalent of “High Treason” in the Penal Code.
• Scope: This includes armed rebellion, leading an insurrection, or joining an enemy army to fight against Pakistan.
• No “Success” Needed: You don’t have to win the war or even start it successfully. Merely attempting or abetting (planning) it carries the death penalty.

Whoever conspires (plans with others) to wage war against Pakistan or to deprive Pakistan of its sovereignty over any part of its territory, or to overawe the Federal/Provincial Government by force.

Punishment: Life Imprisonment or imprisonment up to 10 years.

Keypoints:

• Planning Coups: This section is often cited in cases involving conspiracies to overthrow the government by force.

Whoever collects men, arms, or ammunition, or otherwise prepares to wage war against Pakistan.

Punishment: Imprisonment for Life or up to 10 years.

Keypoints:

• Preparation Phase: Even if you haven’t fired a shot, if the police find a warehouse full of guns and prove you intended to use them against the State, you are guilty under Section 122.

Whoever, knowing of a design (plan) to wage war against Pakistan, conceals it (hides it) intending to facilitate the war.

Punishment: Up to 10 years imprisonment.

Whoever, within or without Pakistan, with intent to jeopardize the sovereignty of Pakistan… condemns the creation of Pakistan… or advocates the curtailment or abolition of the sovereignty of Pakistan.

Punishment: Up to 10 years imprisonment.

Keypoints:

• Ideological Crime: This specifically targets speech or writing that says “Pakistan should not exist” or “Pakistan should be merged into another country.”

Whoever deliberately defiles (insults/dirties) the National Flag or takes it down from a government building without authority.

Punishment: Up to 3 years imprisonment.

Whoever assaults or wrongfully restrains the President of Pakistan or a Governor of a Province to force them to sign a law or stop them from doing their job.

Punishment: Up to 7 years imprisonment.

(This is a historically famous and controversial section).

Whoever by words (spoken or written), or by signs, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites disaffection towards the Federal or Provincial Government established by law.

• Punishment: Imprisonment for Life or up to 3 years.
• Keypoints:
  • Free Speech Line: The section usually says that “comments expressing disapprobation” (criticism) of government measures without exciting hatred/violence are not sedition. However, the line between “strong criticism” and “sedition” is often debated in courts.

If you wage war against an Asian country that is at peace with Pakistan (e.g., China, Iran, Turkey).

Punishment: Life Imprisonment or up to 7 years.

Keypoints:

• Diplomatic Protection: You cannot use Pakistani soil to launch attacks against Pakistan’s allies.

Whoever commits “depredation” (looting/raiding) on the territory of a friendly country.

Punishment: Up to 7 years.

If you receive goods that you know were looted during a raid on a friendly country.

If a jailor or officer intentionally lets a “State Prisoner” (e.g., a spy or rebel leader) escape.

Punishment: Imprisonment for Life or up to 10 years.

If the escape happened because the public servant was negligent (careless), not intentional.

Punishment: Up to 3 years.

Whoever aids or assists a State Prisoner or Prisoner of War in escaping, or harbours (hides) them after escape.

Punishment: Imprisonment for Life or up to 10 years.

Whoever, being a minor or insane, commits qatl shall be liable to ta’zir.