Laws & permits

A few legal specifics catch visitors off guard. None are complicated once you know them.

1. 1NOC (No Objection Certificate): required for certain restricted/border areas (e.g., parts of Azad Kashmir near the LoC, some corridors). Mainstream tourist north — Hunza, Skardu — currently doesn't require one for most nationalities, but rules change: verify current requirements before planning, and SafePak will flag changes in Alerts.
2. 2Drones: effectively prohibited without hard-to-get permits. Don't bring one; airport confiscation is common.
3. 3Alcohol: not sold publicly; non-Muslim foreign guests may be served through licensed hotel permit rooms. Never buy from informal sellers.
4. 4Photography: monuments and daily life, yes; military, airports, checkpoints, no — this is the one to treat as absolute.
5. 5Long stays (varies by visa type) can involve registration requirements — check your visa's conditions.