Kinds of Punishment under PPC (Pakistan Penal Code)
Criminal Law / PPC
1. Introduction — تعارف
In psychological learning theory, punishment
(سزا) refers to anything that reduces or discourages a particular behavior. In law, a thing is called punishing if, when it is applied, it results in the reduction of behavior that the law seeks to prevent. Section 53 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
(پاکستان پینل کوڈ) defines several types of punishments for different offences.
2. Relevant Provisions — متعلقہ دفعات
Section 53, Pakistan Penal Code (دفعہ ۵۳، تعزیراتِ پاکستان).
3. Definition of Punishment — سزا کی تعریف
Black’s Law Dictionary defines punishment as:
Any fine, penalty, or confinement inflicted upon a person by authority of law and the judgment of a court for some crime or offence committed, or for the omission of a duty enjoined by law.
(جرم یا قانونی فرض کی عدم ادائیگی پر عدالتِ قانون کی جانب سے دی جانے والی جرمانہ، قید یا کوئی بھی قانونی سزا)
4. Purpose of Punishment — سزا کا مقصد
The primary purpose is the prevention
(روک تھام) of PPC offences by deterrence, retribution, reform, and protection of society.
5. Kinds of Punishment under Section 53 PPC — دفعہ ۵۳ کے تحت سزاؤں کی اقسام
I. Qis— قصاص
sa) Literal Meaning — لغوی معنی
The word Qisās derives from the root qasasa, meaning “to follow in someone’s footsteps; to requite”.
(پیروی کرنا/بدلہ لینا)
b) Legal Meaning — اصطلاحی معنی
Legally, it denotes retribution by causing a similar hurt or death to the offender as caused to the victim, where law permits.
(بدلے کی سزا، مساوی ضرر یا موت دینا)
c) Definition — تعریف
Qisās means punishment by inflicting similar hurt on the same part of the body of the convict as he caused to the victim, or by causing his death if he committed qatl‑e‑amd
(ارادی قتل)—exercisable by the victim or wali
(ولی).
d) Non‑applicability of Qisās — عدم نفاذ کے حالات
- Offender dies before enforcement of Qisās (ملزم کے مرنے کی صورت میں).
- Right of Qisās is waived by any wāli (ولی کی معافی).
- Right of Qisās devolves on the offender himself (حقِ قصاص خود مجرم کو منتقل ہو جائے).
- Right of Qisās devolves on a person who has no right of Qisās against the offender (ایسے شخص کو منتقل ہو جو مجرم کے خلاف حقِ قصاص نہیں رکھتا).
e) Quranic Injunctions — قرآنی ہدایات
“O you who believe! Retaliation is prescribed for you in cases of the killed: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female… And there is life for you in retaliation, O men of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.” (Surah Al‑Baqarah 2:178–179)
؛ اور تمہارے لیے قصاص میں زندگی ہے اے عقل والو تاکہ تم پرہیزگار بنو (البقرہ 178–179)
II. Diyat — دیت
a) Meaning — معنی
Diyat means monetary compensation payable by the offender to the heirs of the victim as blood‑money
(خون بہا).
b) Definition — تعریف
As per section 299(e): “Diyat means the compensation specified in section 323 payable to the heirs of the victim.” It applies to qatl
(قتل), not to simple hurt.
c) Value of Diyat — مقدارِ دیت
The court, subject to the Injunctions of Islam and considering the financial position of the convict and the heirs, fixes the value of Diyat which shall not be less than the value of 30,630 grams of silver, as notified annually by the Federal Government (effective each financial year).
(حکومت ہر سال چاندی کی قدر کے مطابق کم از کم دیت مقرر کرتی ہے)
III. Arsh — ارش
a) Meaning & Definition — معنی و تعریف
Arsh is a pre‑specified compensation payable to the victim or his heirs for particular categories of hurt as defined in Chapter XVI of PPC.
(متعین معاوضہ مخصوص اقسامِ چوٹ کے بدلے)
b) Value of Arsh — مقدارِ ارش
Calculated as a percentage of Diyat (section 323). The court uses at least the minimum Diyat value fixed for that financial year.
c) Payment & Time — ادائیگی و مدت
Payable in lump sum or installments within up to three years from the final judgment. The court may keep the convict in simple imprisonment until paid, or release on bail against security equal to the Arsh amount. If the convict dies, it is recoverable from his estate.
IV. Daman — دِیَت سے کم معاوضہ / دِیَت غیر مقررہ
a) Meaning & Definition — معنی و تعریف
Daman is court‑determined compensation payable by the offender to the victim for hurt not liable to Arsh.
(ایسی چوٹ کا معاوضہ جس پر ارش لاگو نہ ہو)
b) Value of Daman — مقدارِ دَمَن
- Expenses incurred on treatment (علاج کے اخراجات)
- Loss or disability in functioning of any organ (اعضا کی کارکردگی میں کمی)
- Compensation for pain and suffering (اذیت و تکلیف کا ازالہ)
c) Non‑payment & Release — عدم ادائیگی و رہائی
Recoverable from the convict; until paid, he may be kept in simple imprisonment. Bail may be granted upon security equal to the Daman amount.
V. Tazir — تعزیر
a) Definition — تعریف
Tazir means punishment other than Qisās, Diyat, Arsh, or Daman; its quantum is left to the discretion of the judge within legal limits.
(قاضی کی صوابدیدی سزا)
b) Infliction — نفاذ
May include fine, scourging (where permitted), or imprisonment, depending on statute and judicial discretion.
VI. Death Penalty — سزائے موت
The highest form of punishment, prescribed for certain offences such as waging war against Pakistan, abetment of mutiny (actually committed), murder, dacoity with murder, and hijacking (as per specific statutory provisions).
VII. Imprisonment for Life — عمر قید
The second‑highest punishment, provided for offences including: waging or attempting to wage war against Pakistan, collecting arms with intent to wage war, sedition, counterfeiting Pakistan coin, punishment for certain forms of murder, kidnapping/abduction to commit murder, and dacoity with murder.
VIII. Imprisonment — قید
Imprisonment means confinement of a person in prison.
a) Rigorous Imprisonment — سخت قید
Involves hard labour (e.g., grinding, drawing water, digging earth, cutting wood).
b) Simple Imprisonment — سادہ قید
Confinement without hard labour.
The maximum term provided generally is fourteen years (section 55). A shortest term may be twenty‑four hours where so provided; minimums otherwise depend on the specific offence.
IX. Forfeiture of Property — املاک کی ضبطی
Forfeiture may be imposed, inter alia, where property is used for depredation against territories of a power at peace with the Government (section 126), where such property is knowingly received (section 127), or where a public servant improperly purchases property prohibited by virtue of office.
X. Fine — جرمانہ
Fine may be awarded alone or alongside other punishments. It is expressly provided for a number of offences throughout the PPC.
6. Limit of Imprisonment for Non‑payment of Fine (Section 65) — عدم ادائیگیِ جرمانہ پر قید کی حد
Where an offence is punishable with imprisonment as well as fine, the term of imprisonment awarded in default of payment shall not exceed one‑fourth of the maximum substantive imprisonment prescribed for that offence.
(جرمانہ ادا نہ کرنے پر قید، مقررہ زیادہ سے زیادہ سزا کے ایک چوتھائی سے زائد نہیں ہو سکتی)
8. Conclusion — نتیجہ
In sum, punishment (سزا) is pain or penalty warranted by law and inflicted by a lawful court for a crime or legal omission. Under the PPC, its forms include Qisās, Diyat, Arsh, Daman, Tazir, death penalty, imprisonment (life or term), forfeiture of property, and fine, each serving the broader goals of deterrence, justice, and public protection.