Is Ephedrine legal in Pakistan?

Legal status

Regulated as a chemical PRECURSOR (1988 UN Convention Table I — a methamphetamine precursor), NOT as a scheduled narcotic; a 'controlled substance' (precursor) under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997 s.2(k) (regime strengthened by the 2022 amendment).

Consequences if caught

No capital exposure — the 2022/2023 CNSA amendments abolished the drug death penalty (now life). Precursor tiers: ≤100 g up to 2 years; >1 kg up to life.

If prescribed or medical

Also a pharmacy/prescription decongestant-bronchodilator medicine subject to sales limits; carry documentation for a personal supply.

Documentation

Under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997 (CNSA, Sec 9), penalties are tiered by quantity: up to 100 g draws up to 2 years; 100 g to 1 kg up to 7 years; above 1 kg draws death OR life OR up to 14 years plus a fine up to 1 million rupees; 10 kg or more draws not less than life. [narrowed] death-penalty applicability — confirm current applicability per the 2022/2023 amended tables: the death penalty is present in CNSA Sec 9 for top-tier trafficking (above 1 kg: death OR life OR up to 14 years; 10 kg or more: not less than life), but the 2023 amendment REMOVED/narrowed it for certain categories (per legal sources, where death had been stipulated — e.g. 6000 g or more of heroin/morphine or 5000 g or more of cocaine). The 2022 amendment introduced detailed type/quantity tables (Bhang, Charas, Hashish Oil, Opium, Heroin, Cocaine), and charas (hashish) and bhang (cannabis) are explicitly scheduled. Sec 6 has a medical/scientific/industrial exception (not a recreational carve-out); there is NO recreational or formal medical-cannabis program. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

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.