Pakistan Academy of Letters' Act, 2013

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The Pakistan Academy of Letters’ Act, 2013 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
________ 
SECTIONS: 
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement 
 
2.  Definitions 
3.  Establishment of the Academy 
4.  Board of Governors 
5.  Functions and powers of the Board 
6.  Delegation of powers 
7.  Meeting of the Board 
8.  Chairman of the Academy 
9.  Privileges and perquisites of the Chairman of the Academy 
10.  Director-General of the Academy 
11.  Committees of the Academy 
12.  Powers and functions of the Academy 
13.  Appointment of employees, experts, etc., by the Academy 
14.  Employees, experts, etc., to be public servants 
15.  Pakistan Academy of Letters Fund 
16.  Budget 
17.  Audit and accounts 
18.  Submission of yearly reports and returns 
 
19.  Power to make rules 
 
20.  Power to make regulations 
 
21.  Indemnity 
 
22.  Authorities to aid the Academy 
 
23.  Removal of difficulties 
 
24.  Repeal and savings 
Updated till 4-4-2022 
 
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The Pakistan Academy of Letters’ Act, 2013 
 
ACT No. IV OF 2013 
[22nd February, 2013] 
 
An Act to establish the Pakistan Academy of Letters 
WHEREAS it is expedient to establish the Pakistan Academy of Letters to provide for 
promotion of Pakistani language, literature and for welfare of writers’ community throughout 
Pakistan and to provide for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto; 
It is hereby enacted as follows:— 
1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Bill may be called the Pakistan 
Academy of Letters’ Act, 2013. 
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— 
(a)  “Academy” means the Pakistan Academy of Letters; 
(b)  “Board” means the Board of Governors of the Academy; 
(c)  “Chairman of the Board” means Chairman of the Board; 
(d)   “Chairman of the Academy” means the Chairman of the Academy who shall    
be its chief executive; 
(e)  “Director-General” means the Director-General of the Academy; 
(f)  “employees” means an employee in the whole time employment of the   
Academy; 
(g)  “Member” means a member of the Board;  
(h)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules; 
(i)  “rules” means the rules made under this Act; 1[*] 
(j)  “regulations” means the regulations made under this Act 1[; and] 
1[(k)  “secretary” means secretary of the division concerned.] 
 
3. Establishment of the Academy.—(1) The Pakistan Academy of Letters as reconstituted in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and 
common seal and power to acquire, hold and dispose of property. 
 
(2) The Academy shall be an autonomous body. 
 
(3) The main office of the Academy shall  be at Islamabad and the Academy may set -up its 
regional offices at such place or places as it may deem appropriate. 
 
 
1Omitted, subs. and added by Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 2. 
 
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4. Board of Governors.—(1) The 1[division concerned] shall, by notification in the official 
Gazette, constitute a Board of Governors of the Academy consisting the following, namely:— 
(a)  Chairman, Pakistan Academy of Letters, Islamabad.    Chairman 
1[(b)  joint secretary of the division concerned]     Ex-officio Member 
(c)  One representative, not below the rank of Joint Secretary,   Ex-officio Member 
      of Ministry of Finance. 
 
(d)  representative of Higher Education Commission (HEC)    Member 
      (Not below the rank of a BS-20 officer). 
 
(e)   one representative of each of the provinces      Ex-officio Members 
        (to be nominated by the Provincial Government concerned). 
  
(f)   two representatives of the areas not forming part of any     Ex-officio Members 
       Province (to be nominated by name by the Minister  
       concerned) one from Islamabad Capital Territory and one 
       from 1[Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan]  
       by rotation) 
 
(g)   a man of letters of English language to be nominated by the     Member 
       Minister Concerned. 
 
(h)   a man of letters of Urdu language to be nominated by the      Member 
       Minister concerned. 
 
(i)  one man of letters of each of at least six regional languages     Member 
       to be nominated by the Minister concerned.  
 
(j)  Director-General, Pakistan Academy of Letters.                   Member 
(2)  The Director-General shall also act as Secretary of the Board. 
(3) The term of Members of Board of Governors except ex-officio Members, shall be three 
years and the Members shall be eligible for reappointment for such term, or terms as the Government 
may determine but shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of sixty-five years or the expiry of 
the term, whichever is earlier. 
 
1Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 3. 
 
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5. Functions and powers of the Board.—(l) The Board shall be responsible for setting of 
objectives and policy guidelines of the Academy with the powers and functions provided in section 
12. 
(2) The general direction and administration of the Academy and its affairs shall vest in the 
Board which shall exercise all powers, perform all functions and do all acts and things which may be 
exercised, performed or done by the Academy under this Act. 
(3) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, the Board 
shall,— 
(a)  promote a modern system for the promotion of Pakistani languages, literature 
and welfare of the writers’ community in the country; 
(b)  approve policies, plans and programmes of the Academy; and 
(c)  formulate procedures and necessary framework for utilization of funds 
generated or acquired through services, donations or grants, etc. 
6. Delegation of powers.___ The Board may, by general or special orders in writing subject to 
such limitations, restrictions or conditions, delegate all or any of its powers and functions to the 
Chairman of the Academy or Director-General of the Academy. 
7. Meeting of the Board.—(1) Save as hereinafter provided, the Board shall regulate the 
procedure for its meetings. 
(2) The meetings of the Board shall be convened by and under the directions of the Chairman 
of the Board: 
Provided that the 1[Division concerned] may direct convening of a meeting of the Board at 
any time on any matter requiring a decision by the Board. 
(3) The meeting of the Board shall be held at least twice a year. 
(4) A simple ma jority of the total membership shall co nstitute the quorum for a meeting of 
the Board. 
(5) The decision of the Board shall be made by simple majority of the members present and 
voting  
8. Chairman of the Academy.—(1) The  Chairman of the Academy shall be an eminent 
professional of known integrity, reputation, competence and expertise in the field of Pakistani 
languages and literature. 
(2) The Chairman of the Academy shall be appointed by the 2[Prime Minister or a person 
authorized by him] on such terms and conditions as it may be deem appropriate and shall hold the 
office for a period of three years. 
(3) The Chairman of the Academy shall be the chief executive of the Academy. He shall 
directly oversee the Director-General in the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this 
Act, shall guide and direct him, as deemed necessary and shall liaise and consult with the 
Government, on behalf of the Board, for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
 
(4) The Chairman of the Academy may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed 
to the 1[Prime Minister or a person authorized by him]. 
 
9. Privileges and perquisites of the Chairman of the Academy.____ The Chairman of the 
Academy shall be entitled to such privileges and perquisites as may be prescribed by rules. 
 
1Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 4. 
2Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 5. 
 
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10. Director-General of the Academy.___ (1) There shall be a Director-General who shall be 
appointed by the 1[Prime Minister or a person authorized by him] on such terms and conditions as 
may be prescribed. 
(2) The Director-General shall comply with such directions that the 1[division concerned] or 
the Board may give from time to time. 
(3) The Director-General shall be entitled to such remuneration and privileges as may be 
prescribed. 
11. Committees of the Academy.—The Academy may, for carrying out its functions, 
constitute such committees as may be considered appropriate. 
(2) The membership of a committee and conduct of business thereof shall be such as may be 
prescribed by regulations. 
12. Powers and functions of the Academy.____ The powers and functions of the Academy 
shall be to,— 
(a)  administer and coordinate all government systems for the promotion of 
Pakistani languages, literature and welfare of writer’s community in the 
country under provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made there 
under; 
(b)  advise the Federal Government on policy relating to promotion of Pakistani 
languages, literature and welfare of writers’ community in the country; 
(c)  determine research priorities in the field of language or literature and to 
undertake research projects; 
(d)  evaluate the performance of the various learned bodies and institutions dealing 
with literature and literary activities and to scrutinize and assess their new 
projects and to release grants to them; 
(e)  set up a bureau of translation for the translation of selected works from and 
into national and the regional languages with a view to promote great cohesion 
and intellectual understanding among the people of different regions of the 
country; 
 
(f)  promote and supervise the production of standard works of reference e.g. 
dictionaries, encyclopedias etc., in the national and regional languages; 
 
(g)  establish a language laboratory, a language library and a documentation centre 
to facilitate work on the national and regional languages in consonance with 
the ideology of Pakistan; 
 
(h)  undertake or recommend suitable measures for the promotion of creative 
writing in the national and regional languages in consonance with the ideology 
of Pakistan; 
 
1Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 6. 
 
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(i)  undertake or recommend suitable measures for the introduction of Pakistani 
literature to the foreign readers; 
(j)  produce literary periodicals in Urdu, English and other Pakistani languages; 
(k)  provide an authoritative body of consultants for all matters relating to 
language, literature and letters; 
(l)  nominate or recommend recipients for various literary awards and distinctions; 
(m)  represent or advise the Federal Government on international gatherings 
relating to language, literature and letters; 
(n)  extend national recognition to eminent personalities for their services to 
Pakistani languages, literature and letters and to undertake publication of 
research work of national importance done by them; 
(o)  render monetary assistance to indigent writers and to safeguard the interests of 
writers; 
(p)  provide for the printing and publication of literary works; 
(q)  recommend measures for the promotion of printing and publishing industry in 
the country; 
(r)  create various posts and appoint persons thereto on such terms and conditions 
as may be prescribed under regulations; 
(s)  govern and regulate the finances, accounts and investments of the Academy; 
(t)  liaise and interact with counterpart organizations in other countries for 
capacity building and exchange of information; 
(u)  engage in human resource development of its officers and staff; 
(v)  carry-out such works or activities as may be deemed necessary with a view to 
making the best use of its assets; 
(w)  co-ordinate implementation of foreign-aided technical assistance projects on 
languages or literatures through 1[Division] concerned 
(x)  enter into, carry out, vary or cancel contracts; and 
(y)  perform and carry out any other thing or function relating to promotion of 
Pakistani languages, literature and welfare of writers’ community in the 
country assigned to it by the Board or the 1[division concerned]. 
 
1Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 7. 
 
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13. Appointment of employees, experts, etc., by the Academy.—(1) The Academy may, 
with the prior approval of the 1[division concerned], create posts and may appoint such employees, 
experts and consultants, as may be required for the function of the Academy on such terms and 
conditions as may be prescribed under regulations. 
(2) The Academy, with the approval of the Board, shall devise procedures for the 
appointment of its employees, experts and consultants. 
(3) The Academy, with the approval of the Board, shall determine the terms and conditions of 
service of its employees, experts and consultants and shall also be competent to take disciplinary 
action against them. 
14. Employees, experts, etc., to be public servants.—(1) The Chairman of the Academy, 
Director-General, employees, experts, consultants of the Academy shall, when acting on purporting 
to Act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, be deemed to be public servants within the 
meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLV of 1860). 
(2) The regular employees of the Academy working immediately before commencement of 
this Act shall be offered an option whether they or any one desire to continue to serve as civil 
servants or to opt to become employee of the Academy. The employees shall convey their option 
within six months of commencement of this Act. Option once exercised shall final and irrevocable. 
15. Pakistan Academy of Letters Fund.—(1) There shall be created a fund to be known as 
Pakistan Academy of Letters Fund which shall vest in the Academy and shall be utilized by the 
Academy to meet charges in connection with its functions under this Act including the payment of 
salaries and other remuneration to the Chairman of the Academy, Director General, employees, 
experts and consultants of the Academy. 
(2) The Pakistan Academy of Letters Fund shall be financed from the following sources, 
namely:— 
(a)  grants and loans made by the Federal Government or a Provincial 
Government; 
 
(b)  loans, aid and donations from the national or international agencies; and 
 
(c)  revenue earned from the levy of various charges or fees, etc. 
(3) The Pakistan Academy of Letters Fund shall be kept in one or more accounts maintained 
by the Academy, in local or foreign currency, in any branch of the National Bank of Pakistan and 
shall be operated in accordance with the directions of the Board. 
16. Budget.—(1) The Academy shall, in respect of each financial year submit for approval of 
the Federal Government, on such date as may be prescribed, a statement of the estimated receipts and 
expenditure, including requirements of foreign exchange for the next financial year for provision of 
annual funds for approval by the Federal Government. Head-wise budget will be approved by the 
Board. 
 
1Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 8. 
 
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(2) The 1[secretary of the division concerned] shall be the Principal Accounting Officer of the 
Academy. 
(3) The Director-General shall be the Chief Accounting Officer of the Academy. 
17. Audit and accounts.—(1) The accounts of the Academy shall be maintained in the 
manner prescribed by the Controller General of Accounts. 
(2). The Auditor-General of Pakistan shall conduct audit of the accounts of the Academy. 
(3) A copy of the audit report shall be submitted to the Board along with the comments of the 
Academy. 
(4) The Board may issue directions to the Academy for the rectification of any item objected 
to by the Auditor-General of Pakistan and the Academy shall comply with such directions. 
18. Submission of yearly reports and returns.—Within three months of the conclusion of 
each financial year, the Academy shall submit an annual report to the 2[division concerned] in 
respect of the activities of the Academy including the status of its existing programmes, projects and 
further plans formulated in furtherance of its aims and objectives. 
19. Power to make rules.___ The 3[division concerned in consultation with the establishment 
and finance divisions and all other concerned ministries and divisions] may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
20. Power to make regulations.—The Academy may, by notification in the official Gazette, 
make regulations, not inconsistent with provisions of this Act or the rules, for exercising its powers 
and carrying out its functions under this Act. 
21. Indemnity.___ No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Federal 
Government or the Academy or any person acting under the Federal Government or the Academy for 
anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rules or 
regulation made there under. 
22. Authorities to aid the Academy.—All languages or literary or welfare authorities in the 
Federation and the Provinces shall render such assistance to the Academy, as may be necessary, for 
the promotion of Pakistani languages, literature and welfare of writers community in the country. 
23. Removal of difficulties.—If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the provisions 
of this Act, the Federal Government may, for the purpose of removing such difficulty, make such 
order, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as it may consider expedient and any such 
order shall be deemed to be, and given effect to, as a part of the provisions of this Act. 
24. Repeal and savings.—(1) The Ministry of Education’s Resolution No. 8-18/75/Cb, dated 
the 7th July, 1976, hereinafter referred to as the repealed Resolution, is hereby repealed. 
 
1Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 9 
2Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 10 
3Subs. by the Act, XXXIX of 2021, s. 11 
 
 
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(2) Upon the commencement of this Act,____ 
(a)  all funds, properties, rights and interests of whatsoever kind issued, used, 
enjoyed, possessed, owned or vested in the Pakistan Academy of Letters in 
existence immediately before such commencement and all liabilities legally 
subsisting against the said Academy shall pass to the Academy as established 
under this Act; 
(b)  everything done, action taken, obligations or liabilities incurred, rights and 
assets acquired persons appointed or authorized jurisdiction or powers 
conferred, endowments, bequests, funds or trusts created, donations or grants 
made, orders issued under any of the provisions of the Acts, rules or 
regulations, applicable to the said Academy, shall remain in force and be 
continued and, having regard to the various matters which by this Act have to 
be regulated or prescribed by rules or regulations, be deemed to have been 
respectively done, taken, incurred, acquired, appointed, authorized, conferred, 
created, made, or issued under this Act and reference in any document to any 
of the provision of the said Acts or the rules or regulations made thereunder 
shall, so far as may be, be deemed to be reference to the corresponding 
provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made or deemed to have been 
made thereunder; and 
(c)  any rules or regulations made under the repealed resolution shall, in so far as 
they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or the rules and 
regulations made under this Act having regard to the various matters which by 
this Act have to be regulated or prescribed by rules or regulations respectively 
shall continue to be in force, until they are repealed, replaced, rescinded or 
modified in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
(d)  Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, contract or agreement or in 
the terms and conditions of service, every person, other than employees of 
other Departments and members of regularly constituted Service Groups 
posted on deputation or employed in the Academy and serving in or under it 
immediately before the commencement of this Act shall cease to be civil 
servants and stand transferred to and become employees of the Academy on 
such terms and conditions as may be prescribed: 
Provided the terms or conditions of the persons so transferred shall not 
be less favourable than those applicable to them before the commencement of 
this Act. 
(e)  Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in 
force, no person who has been transferred to the Academy shall be entitled to 
any compensation on account of such transfer. 
 
 
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