Is apostasy illegal in Pakistan?
Criminal offense
Apostasy is illegal in Pakistan and can lead to serious criminal charges under blasphemy laws, with no specific law against apostasy but effective prosecution through existing laws.
Pakistan is one of 15 countries classified “Criminal offense” for apostasy — 50% of the 30 with data. (Also searched as leaving a religion.)
Source
- Taken from
- Wikipedia: Apostasy in Islam by country
- Last checked
- 7 July 2026
- How it was classified
- Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.
Nearby countries
- Afghanistan
- Death penalty possible Apostasy in Afghanistan is punishable by death under Hanafi Sunni jurisprudence, with no legal protection for those leaving Islam.
- United Arab Emirates
- Death penalty possible Apostasy is punishable by death in the UAE under Sharia law, with hudud crimes including apostasy requiring the death penalty according to their Penal Code.
- Oman
- Criminal offense Oman's Personal Status Law annuls marriage and denies inheritance rights for Muslim apostates.
- Qatar
- Death penalty possible Apostasy in Qatar is punishable by death under Sharia law, with specific criminalization of proselytizing Muslims to other religions.
- Kuwait
- Criminal offense Kuwait's family law allows Muslim courts to prosecute apostasy with penalties including annulment of marriage and property confiscation.
- Bangladesh
- Criminal offense While Bangladesh has no formal law against apostasy, there have been instances of persecution and violence against those who leave Islam, including targeted killings.
Other laws in Pakistan
- Blasphemy Laws
- Death penalty possible
- Holocaust Denial
- No specific law
- Conversion Therapy
- No ban
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.