Chapter X · Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants

Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant

Section 174 · Pakistan Penal Code

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Whoever, being legally bound to attend in person or by an agent at a certain place and time in obedience to a summons, notice, order or proclamation proceeding from any public servant legally competent, as such public servant, to issue the same, intentionally omits to attend at that place or time, or departs from the place where he is bound to attend before the time at which it is lawful for him to depart, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to 1 [one thousand five hundred rupees], or with both; or, if the summons, notice, order or proclamation is to attend in person or by agent in a Court of Justice, with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to 1 [three thousand rupees], or with both 1[;] 3 [or, if the proclamation be under section 87 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.]

Illustrations

(a)

A, being legally bound to appear before the 2[High Court of 5 [Sind]] in obedience to a subpoena issuing from that Court, intentionally omits to appear. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

(b)

A, being legally bound to appear before a Zila Judge, as a witness, in obedience to a summons issued by that Zila Judge, intentionally omits to appear. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

Amendment notes (2)›
  1. 1& Schedule I. 2Subs. by the Law Reforms Ordinance, 1972 (12 of 1972), section 2, and Schedule, for full stop. 3New para added ibid.
  2. 2Substituted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act, 1951 (26 of 1951), section 4 and III Schedule, for “Supreme Court at Calcutta”. 5Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), section 3 and II Schedule, for “East Pakistan” which was previously subs. by A. O., 1961, Article 2, for “East Bengal” (with effect from 23rd March, 1956).

How to cite

In a petition
Section 174, PPC
With heading
Section 174 PPC (Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant)
In full
Section 174, Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860)

Text as amended up to 30-11-2025, from the Pakistan Code, Ministry of Law and Justice. Check the official text before filing. Official PDF, page 75