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Pakistan Penal Code

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

Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it

Section 178 · Pakistan Penal Code

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Whoever refuses to bind himself by an oath 1[or affirmation] to state the truth, when required so to bind himself by a public servant legally competent to require that he shall so bind himself, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend 2[three thousand rupees], or with both.

Amendment notes (2)›
  1. 1and 2nd Schedule (with effect from 14t h October, 1955), for “the Provinces and the Capital of the Federation” which had been subs. by Adaptation Order, 1949, Article 3(2) and 4, for “British India”. 3Ins. by the Oaths Act, 1873 (10 of 1873), section 15.
  2. 2Substituted by Ordinance

How to cite

In a petition
Section 178, PPC
With heading
Section 178 PPC (Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it)
In full
Section 178, 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 77