# Defamation: Sections 499 & 500 PPC

What the Pakistan Penal Code actually says about defamation and its punishment — quoted from
the sections, not paraphrased.

## The definition, as retrieved

> 499. Defamation: Whoever by words either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by
> visible representations, makes or publishes any imputation concerning any person intending
> to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the
> reputation of such person, is said, except in the cases hereinafter excepted, to defame
> that person. [Four explanations follow, covering imputations against the deceased,
> companies, ironic or alternative statements, and what counts as reputational harm.]
>
> — Pakistan Penal Code, Chapter XXI, Section 499. Retrieved from the corpus indexed by FAI
> Legal Research Assistant.

## The punishment, as retrieved

> 500. Punishment for defamation: Whoever defames another shall be punished with simple
> imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
>
> — Pakistan Penal Code, Chapter XXI, Section 500. Retrieved from the corpus indexed by FAI
> Legal Research Assistant. Both unverified for currency or amendment — confirm against an
> official or recently updated source before relying on them.

## The ten exceptions

Section 499 defines defamation broadly, then narrows it with ten named exceptions — conduct
that is not defamation even though it fits the definition: truth for the public good;
good-faith opinion on a public servant's public conduct; good-faith opinion on conduct
touching a public question; a substantially true report of court proceedings; good-faith
opinion on the merits of a decided case or a witness's conduct in it; good-faith opinion on
a public performance; good-faith censure by someone with lawful authority; a good-faith
accusation to a person with lawful authority over the accused; a good-faith imputation to
protect one's own or another's interest; and a good-faith caution for the benefit of the
person warned or the public good.

## What this page does not cover

- The full illustrations attached to each exception.
- Civil defamation remedies, separate from this criminal provision.
- Amendments made after this text was indexed — a proviso to Section 499 was itself omitted
  by a 1986 amendment, per the corpus.

## Frequently asked

**Is criticism of a public servant automatically defamation?** No. The second exception
protects a good-faith opinion on a public servant's conduct in their public functions.

**Can a company be defamed under Section 499?** Explanation 2 states that an imputation
concerning a company, association, or collection of persons may amount to defamation.

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