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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

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