# Asked for a bribe? Giving one is a crime too. > A public servant who accepts, agrees to accept or tries to get a gratification for an official act commits an offence under section 161 PPC: up to 3 years, or fine, or both. And whoever abets it, including the giver, gets the same punishment (s.165-A). - Topic: Criminal law - For: Citizens - A 12-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/asked-for-a-bribe-giving-one-is-a-crime - Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-23 ## Myth or fact? What people often think. - **Myth: Only the officer who takes the bribe commits a crime.** - **Fact: Whoever abets it gets the same punishment as the officer, even if the official act never happens (PPC s.165-A).** ## The law. Section 161, PPC. > "Whoever, being or expecting to be a public servant, accepts or obtains, agrees to accept, or attempts to obtain from any person ... any gratification whatever, other than legal remuneration, as a motive or reward for doing or forbearing to do any official act ..." (Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 161) ## Even agreeing. The words of section 161. - **Four acts** Accepts, obtains, agrees to accept, or attempts to obtain. - **Any gratification** Not only cash. Anything, even if not worth money. - **The term** Up to 3 years, or fine, or both. ## The giver. Section 165-A, PPC. - **The rule** Whoever abets an offence under s.161 or s.165. - **The punishment** The same as for the offence itself. - **Even if** The bribe never leads to the official act. ## The bigger law. Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, s.5. - **Criminal misconduct** A public servant taking gratification of the s.161 kind, and more. - **The term** Not less than 7 years, up to 10 (s.5(2)). - **Investigation** By an Inspector or above, or on a first class Magistrate's order (s.5-A). ## Quick quiz. The fake fixer. Guess first, then swipe for the answer. - **A. Yes, it is bribery** - **B. No, it may be cheating** - **C. Only if he gets the job** ## Answer: B. The Explanation. Section 161, PPC. - **The rule** Someone not expecting office who deceives you this way may be guilty of cheating. - **But** Not of the offence in section 161. ## Proof matters. 1986 PCrLJ 2324, Lahore High Court. - **The facts** Marked notes were recovered, but no one heard the talk before the handover. - **The holding** A decoy's word needs independent corroboration. - **The result** The conviction was set aside. ## Asked to pay? Three steps, in this order. - **Don't pay** Paying makes you an abettor under s.165-A. - **Note it** Who asked, when, where, and any witness. - **Report** To the anti-corruption authority, through an advocate if needed. ## File stuck? Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it. - **An officer is asking for money to process my file. What does the law say and where do I complain?** - **Is giving a bribe a crime under section 165-A PPC?** ## Sources - Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 161: Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect to an official act --- Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.