Is hunting legal in Pakistan? The short answer is yes — but only under a strictly regulated, permit-based system. Hunting protected wildlife without authorisation is illegal and treated as poaching, while legal hunting takes place through Pakistan’s internationally recognised community-based trophy hunting programme. Here is exactly how the law works, which animals can be hunted, the seasons, and how permits are issued.

Is hunting legal in Pakistan?

Yes. Regulated hunting is legal in Pakistan through the trophy hunting programme run by provincial and regional wildlife departments and overseen by the CITES Management Authority of Pakistan. Casual or unlicensed hunting of protected species, hunting out of season, or hunting without a valid permit is illegal and carries fines and penalties. In practice, almost all legal big-game hunting happens through official permits auctioned to hunters via licensed outfitters.

How Pakistan’s trophy hunting programme works

Launched in Gilgit-Baltistan in 1990, the community-based trophy hunting model is now one of the world’s most cited conservation success stories. Annual quotas are set from scientific population surveys and approved through the CITES Management Authority. Permits are auctioned, and around 80% of the permit revenue goes directly to the local communities that protect the animals — funding schools, clinics and conservation work — while about 20% goes to the government. By targeting only a handful of old, post-breeding males each year, the programme has helped the markhor population recover to more than 5,000, leading the IUCN to downlist it from endangered to near threatened.

Which animals can be legally hunted?

Pakistan’s approved trophy hunting quotas cover a defined list of species, including:

  • Astore, Kashmir and Sulaiman markhor
  • Himalayan ibex
  • Sindh ibex
  • Blue sheep (bharal)
  • Punjab urial and Blandford (Sulaiman) urial
  • Kennion (Chinkara) gazelle

Licensed seasonal hunting of certain game birds is also allowed under separate provincial rules. Fully protected species such as the snow leopard are completely off-limits. Explore our detailed guides to markhor hunting, Himalayan ibex hunting and Sindh ibex hunting.

Hunting season in Pakistan

Most mountain big-game hunting runs through the colder months. In Gilgit-Baltistan, for example, the trophy hunting season runs roughly from mid-October to early April under the GB Trophy Hunting Guidelines, and hunts are permitted only inside designated conservation areas. Exact dates vary slightly by province and species, so always confirm the current season before planning. Game-bird seasons, for species such as ducks, doves and chukar partridge, are set separately by each province.

Permits, licences and costs

Big-game permits are allocated through open auctions held by the wildlife departments, with base prices set each year. For the 2025–26 season, base rates in Gilgit-Baltistan started at around US$200,000 for an Astore markhor, US$25,000 to US$30,000 for blue sheep and roughly US$10,000 to US$11,000 for Himalayan ibex, while the top markhor permit sold for a world-record US$370,000. Fees change every season, so treat these figures as a guide only. Foreign hunters take part through licensed outfitters, who arrange the permit, guides, logistics and the CITES export documentation needed to legally take a trophy home.

What counts as illegal hunting?

It is illegal to hunt without a valid permit or licence, to hunt protected or banned species, to hunt outside the designated season or conservation area, or to exceed your permitted quota. Poaching can lead to fines, confiscation of weapons and trophies, and imprisonment under provincial wildlife acts. If in doubt, always go through a licensed outfitter who secures the correct permits on your behalf.

Bird and small-game hunting

Beyond big game, licensed seasonal hunting of certain game birds is permitted in parts of the country under provincial regulations, with set seasons, bag limits and licences. If you plan to hunt birds such as ducks or doves, check the current provincial wildlife rules and obtain the correct licence first.

Frequently asked questions

Is hunting allowed in Pakistan? Yes, through regulated permits and licences. Unlicensed hunting of protected species is banned and treated as poaching.

Can foreigners hunt in Pakistan? Yes. International hunters take part through licensed outfitters who secure the permit, guides and CITES export paperwork.

Is markhor hunting legal? Yes — a small number of markhor permits are auctioned legally each season under strict quotas. See our markhor hunting guide.

How much does a markhor hunting permit cost? Base prices have recently started around US$200,000, with auction bids reaching US$370,000. Fees are set every season by the wildlife departments.

When is the hunting season in Pakistan? Broadly from mid-October to April for mountain game, varying by province and species.

Plan a legal, guided hunt in Pakistan

As a licensed Pakistani outfitter, Pak Adventure arranges fully legal, permitted trophy hunts with expert local guides and all the paperwork handled for you. Explore our guides to markhor hunting, the best markhor hunting regions and Himalayan ibex hunting, or get in touch to start planning your expedition.