Chapter II · General Explanations

"Offence"

Section 40 · Pakistan Penal Code

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[Except in the 1[chapters] and sections mentioned in clauses 2 and 3 of this section, the word "offence" denotes a thing made punishable by this Code.

In Chapter IV, 2[Chapter VA] and in the following sections, namely, sections 3[64,] 3[65,] 3[66,] 4[67,] 3[71,] 109, 110, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 187, 194, 195, 203, 211, 213, 214, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 347, 348, 388, 389, and 445, the word "offence" denotes a thing punishable under this Code, or under any special or local law as hereinafter defined.

And in sections 141, 176, 177, 201, 202, 212, 216 and 441 the word "offence" has the same meaning when the thing punishable under the special or local law is punishable under such law with imprisonment for a term of six months or upwards, whether with or without fine.]

Amendment notes (4)›
  1. 1and Sch. I, for “chapter”.
  2. 2and 2nd Sch., for “the Provinces” (w.e.f. 14th October, 1955).
  3. 3Ins.by the Indian Penal Code Amdt. Act, 1882 (8 of 1882), s. 1.
  4. 4Ins. by the Indian Criminal Law Amdt. Act, 1886 (10 of 1886), section 21(l).

Pakistan Code, Ministry of Law and Justice, version dated 30-11-2025. Official PDF, p. 38.