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Pakistan Penal Code

Chapter III · Of Punishments

Commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life

Section 55 · Pakistan Penal Code

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In every case in which sentence of 1[imprisonment] for life shall have been passed, 2[the Provincial Government of the Province] within which the offender shall have been sentenced may, without the consent of the offender, commute the punishment for imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding fourteen years 3 [:]

3 [Provided that, in a case in which sentence of imprisonment for life shall have been passed against an offender convicted for an offence punishable under Chapter XVI, such punishment shall not be commuted without the consent of the victim or, as the case may be, of his heirs 5 [:]].

5 [Provided further that in a case in which the sentence of imprisonment for life has been passed against an offender convicted for an offence punishable under sections 354A, 376, 376A, 377 or 377B, or where the principle of fasad-fil-arz is attracted, such punishment shall not be commuted.]

Amendment notes (2)›
  1. 1Substituted by Ordinance 12 of 1972, section 2 and Schedule, for “transportation”. 5Subs. by Act XLIV of 2016, section 2. 6Ins. by A. O., 1937, cf. s.
  2. 2Substituted by Adaptation Order, 1937, for “the G. of I. or the Government of the place”. 2Subs. by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975, (President's Order No. 4 of 1975), Article 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 3Subs. and added by Act II of 1997, sections 2-5.

How to cite

In a petition
Section 55, PPC
With heading
Section 55 PPC (Commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life)
In full
Section 55, 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 40