Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law. Pakistan law
Cannabis laws in Islamabad follow Pakistan’s national law. For travelers, the jurisdiction’s law is the controlling standard—cities usually don’t define cannabis legality.
Cannabis is illegal for recreational and personal use. Provisions exist for controlled medical and industrial production, but no patient access program is established. Violations can result in severe penalties.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Not available
- Possession: Illegal with severe penalties
- Buying/Selling: Illegal
- Tourists: Subject to the same laws as residents
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Law Enforcement
I saw traffic police more than other officers, and they generally stuck to traffic. People talked about US$5–10 bribes. I wouldn’t rely on that.
Where to Buy Marijuana
A cab driver who seemed approachable might know somebody. In the French Colony in F-7/4, people knew “Mr. Black” or Kala. Another name that came up was the Christian colony near G-7.
“Charas hai?” was the question for hash. A person already smoking might have some or point you somewhere. If they didn’t know, they might just ignore you.
Marijuana Prices
A golf-ball-sized piece could be US$5, even if an unfamiliar buyer paid another 50 cents. In September, flowering plants were said to be all over and some people gathered the tops to dry or make hash.
Types of Marijuana
Mostly “Afghani sativa,” grown outdoors. Locally made hash sometimes came from teenagers making it at home.
More Information
The plant thrives around Islamabad. You can smell it and sometimes see what looks like a jungle of ten- to twenty-foot sativas.