A Country Policy Information Note (CPIN) is a Home Office document setting out the UK government's position on country conditions for asylum decision-making. CPINs are not binding on immigration tribunals but carry significant weight. For Pakistani asylum claims, multiple CPINs have been updated in 2024 to 2025, making current knowledge essential for both solicitors and expert witnesses.
This guide provides a quick reference to all current Pakistan CPINs, summarises leading country guidance including MN and Others (Ahmadis) Pakistan CG [2012] UKUT 00389, and explains how expert reports relate to and may challenge CPIN findings. It is designed for UK immigration solicitors, Legal Aid practitioners, and barristers instructing Pakistan country experts.
Current Pakistan CPINs: Quick Reference Table
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| CPIN Topic | Version/Date | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmadis | Version 6.0, March 2025 | State able but unwilling; killing of Ahmadis on rise; police complicit |
| Shia Muslims | July 2021 | Sectarian risk; protection limited |
| Healthcare/Medical | July 2024 | Variable access to healthcare |
| Country of Origin Background | Current | General overview of political, security, and human rights conditions |
March 2025 Ahmadis CPIN Version 6.0
The March 2025 CPIN on Ahmadis confirms that while the state is able to protect Ahmadis in principle, it is generally unwilling to do so. Police are complicit in harassment, the killing of Ahmadis is on the rise, TLP blasphemy mob violence continues, and courts do not apply correct standards in blasphemy cases. See the Ahmadi Muslims profile and Ahmadi expert evidence guide.
July 2021 Shia Muslims CPIN
The July 2021 CPIN on Shia Muslims in Pakistan confirms sectarian risk from Sunni extremist groups including ASWJ (formerly SSP), targeted killings, and particular danger for Hazara Shia in Quetta, Balochistan. State protection is limited and inconsistent. See the Shia Muslims profile.
Blasphemy Accusations CPIN
Home Office country guidance on blasphemy in Pakistan confirms that accusations under sections 295 to 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code are widely misused, that mob violence frequently follows allegations, and that state protection is generally unavailable for those accused. Acquittal does not remove ongoing risk from extremist groups. See the blasphemy accusations profile and blasphemy expert evidence guide.
Women & Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
Pakistan CPINs on women and girls confirm that while legislation exists against honour killings and domestic violence, enforcement is deeply inconsistent. Police frequently refuse to register FIRs in honour violence cases, and internal relocation is extremely difficult where families have nationwide reach. See the women and honour-based violence profile and honour-based violence expert guide.
LGBTQ+ and s377 PPC
Same-sex conduct is criminalised under section 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code with penalties of up to life imprisonment. Social attitudes are predominantly hostile and state protection is generally unavailable. Khawaja Sira individuals face severe discrimination despite partial legal recognition. Expert evidence applies the HJ (Iran) [2010] standard. See the LGBTQ+ asylum profile.
Political Opposition & PTI Supporters
Current country guidance confirms real risk for PTI supporters, journalists, and human rights defenders following the 2023 to 2024 crackdown. Enforced disappearances of Baloch nationalists and activists remain a serious concern. UK-based political activity may increase visibility on return. See the political persecution profile and political persecution expert guide.
Actors of Protection
Pakistan's ability and willingness to protect varies significantly by profile and location. For Ahmadis and blasphemy accusees, the state is able but generally unwilling to protect. For women facing honour violence, formal protection exists but enforcement is deeply inconsistent. See the actors of protection profile.
MN and Others (Ahmadis) Pakistan CG [2012] UKUT 00389
MN and Others (Ahmadis) Pakistan CG [2012] UKUT 00389 remains the leading country guidance case for Ahmadi asylum claims from Pakistan. The Upper Tribunal held that Ahmadis in Pakistan face a real risk of persecution and that the state is generally unwilling to provide effective protection. While the CPIN landscape has evolved since 2012, the March 2025 Ahmadis CPIN Version 6.0 confirms the core findings on state unwillingness to protect remain current.
Expert witnesses addressing Ahmadi claims must analyse the individual appellant's profile and visibility against both the leading country guidance and current CPIN findings, including TLP mob violence, blasphemy charges, and police complicity in harassment. See also MN and Others [2012] in the glossary.
Internal Relocation in Pakistan
Internal relocation viability depends entirely on the appellant's profile. Women fleeing honour-based violence face particular difficulty where families have resources and connections nationwide. LGBTQ+ individuals cannot safely relocate because s377 PPC applies nationwide. Expert witnesses assess whether internal relocation is viable and not unduly harsh for the individual appellant.
How Expert Reports Relate to CPINs
Expert witnesses do not simply reproduce CPIN content. The expert's role is to provide independent, objective analysis of whether the appellant's specific profile creates a real risk, applying current field research and source citations beyond the CPIN. Reports that merely restate CPIN findings without independent analysis are identified as a red flag in the Adam Pipe October 2025 guide.
Where the CPIN supports the appellant, the expert confirms and applies the CPIN to the individual profile. Where the CPIN does not support the appellant, the expert may challenge CPIN findings with field research, NGO reports, and profile-specific evidence. See our CPIN challenge reports service.
Expert's Role: Beyond the CPIN
An expert witness provides profile-specific and region-specific analysis that CPINs, by their nature, cannot offer. For Ahmadi claims, this includes visibility assessment and Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK verification. For blasphemy accusations, the expert analyses whether acquittal provides genuine protection or merely legal clearance. For women fleeing honour-based violence, the expert assesses family reach and internal relocation viability.
Legal Aid Compatibility
Most Pakistan expert reports in asylum proceedings are Legal Aid funded through the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). Prior authority is required before instruction. See our how to instruct page and instructing guide for the LAA prior authority process and typical rates.
All Pakistani Asylum Profiles
Solicitor Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CPIN in UK asylum law?
A Country Policy Information Note (CPIN) is a Home Office document setting out the UK government's position on country conditions for asylum decision-making. CPINs are not binding on immigration tribunals but carry significant weight. Pakistan has multiple updated CPINs in 2024 to 2025 covering Ahmadis, Shia Muslims, blasphemy, women, LGBTQ+, and actors of protection.
What does the March 2025 CPIN say about Ahmadis?
The March 2025 CPIN Version 6.0 on Ahmadis confirms that while the state is able to protect Ahmadis in principle, it is generally unwilling to do so. Police are complicit in harassment, courts do not apply correct standards in blasphemy cases, and judges are reluctant to decide blasphemy cases due to fear of retribution. Expert witnesses assess the individual appellant's profile against these confirmed country conditions.
Can expert evidence challenge Home Office CPIN findings?
Yes. Expert witnesses provide independent analysis beyond CPIN reproduction. Where the CPIN does not reflect the appellant's profile, the expert may challenge findings with field research, NGO reports, and profile-specific evidence on actors of protection, internal relocation, and blasphemy risk.