Is Buprenorphine legal in Pakistan?
- Legal status
- Buprenorphine is a controlled psychotropic under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997 — a lighter tier than methadone; Pakistan removed the death penalty from CNSA s.9 (Act XXXVIII of 2023), so it is not death-eligible at any quantity.
- Consequences if caught
- Section 9 penalties are graduated by quantity, topping out at life for very large amounts — there is no death tier.
- If prescribed or medical
- Dispensed as a controlled prescription medicine.
- Documentation
- Carry a prescription and original packaging; declare controlled medicines.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Pakistan’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →