SEX WORK AND THE LAW - HIV/AIDS Data Hub
SEX WORK AND THE LAW - HIV/AIDS Data Hub
SEX WORK AND THE LAW - HIV/AIDS Data Hub
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4.7 Pakistan<br />
Pakistan<br />
Illegal<br />
<strong>SEX</strong> <strong>WORK</strong> IN<br />
PRIVATE<br />
Illegal<br />
SOLICITING<br />
Illegal<br />
BRO<strong>THE</strong>LS<br />
4.7.1 Laws<br />
Under the Constitution of Pakistan, the State is required to prevent ‘prostitution’ which is<br />
regarded as a ‘social evil’. 244<br />
Under other legislation, local governments, village councils and neighbourhood councils<br />
are empowered to take measures for prevention of ‘social evils’ including ‘prostitution’. 245<br />
Extra-marital sex (i.e. adultery) is an offence in Pakistan (‘zina’). 246 This in effect criminalizes<br />
married sex workers or married clients of sex workers.<br />
In tribal areas where traditional religious laws operate, sex work is prohibited and may<br />
be punishable by death (Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and<br />
Balochistan regions).<br />
The Punjab Suppression of Prostitution Ordinance 1961, Sindh Suppression of<br />
Prostitution Ordinance 1961, Baluchistan Suppression of Prostitution Ordinance 1961<br />
and North West Frontier Province Suppression of Prostitution Ordinance 1961 apply at the<br />
provincial level. Offences under the Ordinances include:<br />
<br />
The keeping, managing or financing of a brothel or knowingly permitting premises<br />
to be used as a brothel. 247<br />
Soliciting in a street or public place. 248<br />
Permitting prostitution in places of public amusement. 249<br />
Living on the earnings of prostitution. 250<br />
<br />
Procuring or persuading any woman or girl to leave her residence, with or without her<br />
consent, for the purposes of prostitution. 251<br />
244 Article 37.<br />
245 E.g., Punjab Local Government Ordinance, 2001 Section 195.<br />
246 The Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979. The Ordinance prescribes stoning to death<br />
in a public place or whipping as punishment for adultery. Under the Hudood Ordinance buying, selling and<br />
enticing for purpose of prostitution, remained punishable until 2006, when the prostitution offences were<br />
omitted by the Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act.<br />
247 Section 3.<br />
248 Section 4.<br />
249 Section 5.<br />
250 Section 6.<br />
251 Sections 8, 9.<br />
81