No, it is not illegal to not wear a hijab in Pakistan.
Legal Status of Wearing Hijab in Pakistan
Based on information regarding Islamic veiling practices, including details from the Wikipedia reference provided, wearing the hijab is not mandated by law in Pakistan. This signifies that there is no legal requirement or legal penalty for women who choose not to wear a hijab or any other head covering.
Absence of Legal Mandate
The legal framework in Pakistan does not enforce the wearing of the hijab. Therefore, the act of not wearing a hijab is not considered illegal under Pakistani law.
Example in Practice
The provided reference illustrates this point by mentioning that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto wore a dupatta scarf. While a dupatta is a form of covering often draped around the shoulders or head, her example highlights that even prominent public figures in Pakistan have appeared without a legally mandated, full-coverage hijab, reinforcing the understanding that its wearing is not legally required.
Summary of Legal Status
Based directly on the provided reference:
| Aspect | Status in Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Is Hijab Mandated by Law? | No |
| Is it Illegal Not to Wear Hijab? | No (As it's not mandated) |
| Example Noted | Former PM wore dupatta |
This confirms that the decision to wear a hijab or not is a personal one and not enforced by the state law in Pakistan.
