National Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2012

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NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ACT, 
2012 
 
CONTENTS 
CHAPTER-I 
PRELIMINARY  
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definition 
CHAPTER-II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION  
3. Establishment of the commission 
4. Appointment of chairperson 
5. Appointment of members 
6. Term of Office of Chairperson and of Members 
7. Removal of Chairperson and Members 
8. Acting Chairperson 
9. Terms and Conditions as applicable to members 
10. Secretariat of the Commission 
  

 
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CHAPTER-III 
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMISION 
11. Functions and powers of the commission 
12. Meetings of the commission 
13. Appointment of Committees of the Commission 
CHAPTER-IV 
FUNDS AND FINANCIAL CONTROL 
14. Fund 
15. Accounts and Audit 
CHAPTER-V 
MISCELLANEOUS 
16. Annual Report of the Commission 
17. Assistance to the Commission 
18. Indemnity 
19. Members and officers to be public servants 
20. Power to make Rules 
21. Delegation of powers 
22. Power to remove difficulties 
23. Repeal 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ACT, 
2012 
ACT NO. VIII OF 2012 
[ 8th March, 2012] 
An Act to provide for the setting up of National Commission on the status of Women 
WHEREAS it is expedient to set up a National Commission on the Status of Women for the 
promotion of social, economic, political and legal rights of women, as provided in the Constitution of 
the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in accordance with international declarations. Conventions, 
treaties, Covenants and Agreements relating to women, including the Convention on the Elimination 
of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and for matters connected therewith or 
incidental thereto; 
It is hereby enacted as follows:__ 
CHAPTER-I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. __ (1) This Act may be called the National 
Commission on the Status of Women Bill, 2012. 
(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) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Commission as appointed under section 4, 
and includes acting chairperson appointed under section 7; 
(b) “Commission” means the National Commission on the sta tus of Wo men established 
under section 3; 
(c) “girl” means a female human being under the age of eighteen years; 
(d) “Member” means the Member of the Commission; 
(e) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 
(f) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Commission appointed under section 9; and 
(g) “women” means a female human being of eighteen years or above. 
  
 
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CHAPTER-II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION 
3. Establishment of the Commission .__ (1) The Federal Government shall constitute a 
Commission to be known as the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), to exercise 
the powers conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to it, under this Act. 
(2) The Commission shall consist of,__ 
(a) a Chairperson, who shall be a wo man with experience of working on issues related to 
women's rights for more than fifteen years, and is committed to the cause of women's 
empowerment; 
(b) two members from each Province of whom at least one member shall be a woman, one 
woman member each fro m Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Azad Jammu and 
Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, the Islamabad Capital Territory and from minorities; 
(c) five ex-officio members who shall be representatives of the Ministries of Law, Finance, 
Foreign Affairs and Interior a nd the Ministry concerned with the subject of women ’s 
rights not below BPS-20, and who shall not have the right to vote; 
(d) Chairperson or a designated member of each Provincial Commission on the Women ’s 
rights, set up under provincial laws; and 
(e) Secretary of the Commission, who shall not have the right to vote. 
(3) A member appointed under Paragraph (b) of sub -section (2), shall not be less than thirty 
years of age, with experience of working on issues related to women's rights and is committed to the 
cause of women’s empowerment. 
(4) The headquarter of the Commission shall be at Islamabad. 
(5) The Commission shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal 
with powers, among others to acquire, hold and dispose of any property and  shall sue and be sued by 
the said name. 
4. Appointment of Chairperson.__ (1) The 1[administrative division]  shall through public 
notice, invite suggestions for suitable persons for appointment as Chairperson and, after proper 
scrutiny, shall submit a list of those persons to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in 
the National Assembly. 
(2)  The Prime Minister shall in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition in the National 
Assembly forward three names for Chairperson to a Parliamenta ry Committee for hearing and 
confirmation of any one person: 
Provided that in case there is no consensus between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the 
Opposition, each shall forward separate list to the Parliamentary Committee. 
 
1Subs. by Act No. III of 2025, s.2. 
 
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(3)  The Parliamentary Committee shall be constituted by the Speaker of the National Assembly 
and shall comprise  fifty  per cent  members  from  the  treasury  benches  and fifty per cent from the 
opposition parties, based on their strength in Majlis -e-Shoora (Parliament), to be nominated by the 
respective Parliamentary Leaders: 
Provided that the total strength of the Parliamentary Committee shall not exceed twelve 
members out of which one-third shall be from the Senate. 
(4) The Parliamentary Committee shall regulate its own procedure. 
(5) The Parliamentary Committee shall forward the name of the nominee confirmed by it to the 
Prime Minister, who shall appoint the Chairperson accordingly. 
 1[(6) A vacancy of Chairperson shall be fille d in as provided in this Act within thirty days of 
occurrence of the vacancy.] 
5. Appointment of members. __ (1) The members, including ex-officio members, shall be 
appointed by the Prime Minister from amongst the names recommended under sub-section (2). 
(2) The 2[administrative division]  shall, after consultation with relevant stake -holders, 
recommend to the Prime Minister three names for each Member who fulfill the qualifications laid 
down in Section 3. 
(3) A vacancy of a Member shall be filled as provided in sub-sections (1) and (2) within thirty 
days of the occurrence of the vacancy. 
6. Term of Office of Chairperson and of Members. __ (1) A person appointed as the 
Chairperson and Member shall hold office for a term of three years from the date on which he or she 
enters upon his or her office 3[* * * * * * *]. 
(2)  The Chairperson or a Member may resign his or her office in writing under his or her 
hand addressed to Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and on acceptance of such 
resignation, such vacancy shall be filled within thirty days for the unexpired term of the member. 
7. Removal of Chairperson and Members. —The Chairperson and Members may be 
removed from office by the Prime Minister if he or she, as the case may be,— 
(a)  is, after proper inquiry, found guilty of misconduct: 
Provided that in the case of the Chairperson, such finding shall be submitted to 
the Parliamentary Committee for confirmation; 
(b) is adjudged an insolvent; 
(c) is unfit to continue in office by reason of being mentally or physically challenged and 
stands so declared by a competent medical authority; and 
 
 
1Added by Act No. II of 2018, s. 2. 
2Subs. by Act No. III of 2025, s.3. 
3Omitted by Act No. XIX of 2021, s. 2. 
 
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(d) has, on conviction of any offence involving moral turpitude been sentenced to 
imprisonment for a term of not less than two years, unless a period of five years has 
elapsed since his or her release. 
8. Acting Chairperson. __ By reason of a vacancy in the office of Chairperson due to death, 
illness, resignation or otherwise, the Prime Minister shall appoint a woman from amongst the members 
of the Commission to act as Chairperson for a period of not exceeding thirty days 1[* * * * * * *]. 
9.  Terms and Conditions as applicable to member s.—(1) The traveling and daily 
allowance and other allowances payable to and terms and conditions as applicable to members, other 
than ex-officio members, shall be such as may be prescribed. 
(2)  The salary and allowances payable to and terms and condition s applicable to the 
Chairperson, shall be such as prescribed by the Federal Government. 
(3)  The Chairperson of the Commission shall be full time, shall have the status equivalent 
to a Minister of State of the Federal Government. The executive and financia l authority and 
responsibility of the Commission shall vest in the Chairperson who shall be the overall in -charge of 
the Commission. 
(4)  A member of the Commission shall have status equivalent to BPS -21 of the Federal 
Government. 
10.  Secretariat of the C ommission.__ (1) There shall be a Secretariat of the Commission 
headed by the Secretary with complement of officers and support staff as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Secretary on the instructions of the Commission will prepare a draft three year strategic 
plan, the Annual Work Plan and budget. 
(3) The Secretary shall be appointed in the manner as may be prescribed. 
(4) The appointment and terms and conditions of the employees of the Commission shall be 
such as may be prescribed. 
CHAPTER-III 
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMISION 
11. Functions and Powers of the Commission.__ The Commission,__ 
(a) shall examine the policy, programs and other measures taken by the Federal 
government for gender equality, women's empowerment, political participation, 
representation, assess implementation and make suitable recommendations to the 
concerned authorities; 
(b) shall review all Federal laws, rules and regulations affecting the status and rights of 
women and suggest repeal, amendment or new legislation essenti al to eliminate  
discrimination, safeguard and promote the interest of women and achieve gender 
equality before law in accordance with the Constitution and obligations under 
international covenants and commitments; 
 
 
1Omitted by Act No. II of 2018, s. 3. 
 
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(c) shall sponsor, steer, encourage research to generate information, analysis and studies 
and maintain a database relating to women and gender issues to provide knowledge and 
awareness for national policy and strategic action for women empowerment; 
(d) shall develop and maintain interaction and dialogue with non  governmental 
organizations, experts and individuals in society and an active association with similar 
commissions and institutions in other countries for collaboration and action to achieve 
gender equality at the national, regional and international level; 
(e) mobilize grants from domestic and international, including multi and bilateral agencies, 
approved by the Federal Government, for meeting any of its obligations or performing 
its functions; 
(f)  shall facilitate and monitor implementation of international instruments and 
obligations affecting women and girls to which Pakistan is a signatory, and advise the 
Federal Government before accession to any such proposed international instrument, 
protocol or treaty; 
(g) shall recommend to the Federal Government the signing or ratifying of international 
instruments (conventions, treaties and covenants) affecting rights of women and girls; 
(h) may seek and receive information, data and documents from any Fe deral source or 
entity in the course of performance of its functions; 
(i)  while inquiring into complaints of violations of women's rights may call for 
information or report from the 1[concerned authorities] civil society organizations and 
autonomous or co ncerned bodies; and in this regard the Commission shall have the 
powers vested in a civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908) 
for enforcing the attendance of any person and compelling the production of 
documents; 
(j)  may in accordance with relevant laws and rules and prior permission of the provincial 
government concerned inspect any jail, sub -jail or other places of custody where 
women and girls are kept and to make appropriate recommendations to the authorities 
concerned; 
(k) may act for advocacy, lobbying, coalition building, networking and as a catalyst for 
promotion of cause of women to facilitate their participation in all spheres of life 
including legal, economic, social and political empowerment; 
(l)  liaise with the Provin cial Commissions set up under provincial laws and other 
concerned provincial organizations; 
(m)  shall monitor the mechanism and institutional procedure for redressal of violation of 
women's rights; and 
(n) may perform any other functions which may be assigned to it by the Federal 
Government. 
 
1Subs. by Act No. III of 2025, s.4. 
 
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12. Meetings of the Commission. __ (1) A meeting of the Commission shall be held in each 
quarter of the year at such times and at such place as the Chairperson may decide. The Ch airperson 
may call additional meetings if and when required. 
(2) All meetings shall be chaired by the Chairperson. 
(3) The Commission will consider, approve and monitor implementation of the Strategic Plan 
and the Annual Budget. 
(4) The Commission shall, w ith the approval of Executive Committee, fix an honorarium or 
remuneration of advisors, consultants and experts as may be prescribed. 
(5) The meeting of the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure as 
may be prescribed. 
(6) All decisions of the Commission shall be authenticated by the signature of the Chairperson 
or any person authorized in this behalf by the Chairperson. 
(7) The quorum for the meeting of the Commission shall not be less than one half of the total 
strength of the Commission. 
(8) The decisions of the Commission shall be taken by the majority of the members present. In 
case of a tie, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have the casting vote. 
(9) No act or proceeding of the Commission shall be invalid on the ground merely  of the 
existence of any vacancy in or defect in the constitution of the Commission. 
13. Appointment of Committees of the Commission. __ (1) There shall be an Executive 
Committee of the Commission consisting of the Chairperson and three other members to be appointed 
by the Commission which shall be responsible to oversee the implementation of the decisions and 
recommendations of the Commission. 
(2) The Commission may establish such other Committees from amongst its members as it 
deems fit and may refer to th em any matter for consideration and report. The Commission may, if it 
considers necessary, co-opt to a Committee any person possessing special knowledge and expertise on 
the relevant subject. 
(3) All Committees except the executive Committee will be time bound. 
CHAPTER-IV 
FUNDS AND FINANCIAL CONTROL 
14. Fund.__ (1) There shall be established by the 1[administrative division in consultation with 
ministry of finance] a Fund to be known as the National Commission on the Status of Women Fund, 
which shall vest in the Commission and shall be used by the Commission to meet charges in connection 
with its functions under this Act. 
 
1Subs. by Act No. III of 2025, s.5.  
 
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(2) Source of the Fund amongst other moneys may be the following,__ 
(a) such fund as the Federal Government shall allocate each year as a non -lapsable grant 
in the annual budget; 
(b) donations, if any, made by private individuals, national and international agencies; 
(c) income from investment by the Commission, as may be prescribed; 
(d) all funds held by the Federal Government under the title of ‘National Commission's 
Fund; and 
(e) all other sums or properties or assets which may in any manner become payable to or 
vest in, the Commission in respect of any matter. 
(3) The Commission whilst performing its functions and exercising its powers under this Act, 
shall ensure the highest sense of prudence in respect of expenditures incurred. 
(4) The Fund shall be expended for the purpose of,__ 
(a) Performing functions of the Commission; 
(b) the establishment charges, including its members, employees, consultants, legal and 
other fees and costs; and 
(c) such other activities which fall within the purview of the Commission. 
(5) The Commission may invest its Fund in accordance with the instructions of the Federal 
Government. 
(6) The Chairperson shall be the Principal Accounting Officer of the Commission. 
15. Accounts and Audit. __ (1) The Commission shall maintain proper accoun ts and other 
relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the 
Federal Government in consultation with the Auditor-General of Pakistan. 
(2) The accounts of the Commission shall be audited by the Auditor -General at such intervals 
as may be specified by him or her. 
(3) The Auditor-General and any other person appointed by him or her in connection with the 
audit of the accounts of the Commission under this Act shall have the same rights and privileges and 
the authority in connection with such audit as the Auditor -General generally has in connection with 
the audit of Federal Government accounts and in particular shall have rights to demand the production 
of books, accounts connected vouchers and other documents  and papers and to inspect any of the 
offices of the Commission. 
(4) The accounts of the Commission, as certified by the Auditor -General or any other person 
appointed by him or her in this behalf, together with the Audit Report, thereon shall be forwarded 
annually to the 1[administrative division] by the Commission and the 1[administrative division] shall 
cause the audit report to be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament. 
 
1Subs. by Act No. III of 2025, s.6. 
 
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CHAPTER-V 
MISCELLANEOUS 
16. Annual Report of the Commission.__ (1) The Commission shall prepare its Annual Report 
and shall be presented to the Prime Minister and concerned Ministry. The Annual report shall include 
an account of its performance and utilization of funds. 
(2) The Annual Report of the Commission shall be laid and discussed in the Parliament. 
17. Assistance to the Commission. __ All Federal executive authorities shall assist the 
Commission in the performance of its functions. 
18. Indemnity.__ No suit, prosecution or le gal proceedings shall lie against the Commission, 
the Chairperson or any Member, officer, employees, advisors or consultants of the Commission in 
respect of anything done in good faith or intended to be done under this Act or the Rules made there 
under or order made, or publication by or under the authority of the Federal Government, a Provincial 
Government, Commission or any report, paper or proceedings. 
19. Members and officers to be public servants. __ Every member of the Commission and 
every officer appointed or authorized by the Commission to exercise functions under this Act shall be 
deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV 
of 1860). 
20. Power to make Rules.__ (1) The Federal Government in consultation with the Commission 
and by notification in the official Gazette, make Rules for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions 
of this Act. 
(2) The rules of the Commission shall be made within ninety days of the commencement of 
this Act. 
21. Delegation of powers. __ The Commission may subject to such conditions, as it may 
specify, delegate any of its powers under this Act to the Executive Committee or member and to other 
such committees formed by the Commission. 
22. Power to remove difficulties.__ If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act, the Federal Government may by order published in the official gazette make such provisions 
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as appears to it, be necessary or expedient for removing 
the difficulty: 
 Provided that this power shall be available for a period of one year from the date of 
commencement of this Act. 
23. Repeal.__ (1) The National Commission on the Status of Women Ordinance, 2000 (XXVI 
of 2000), hereinafter called as the repealed Ordinance, is hereby repealed. 
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of Ordinance referred to in sub-section (1).__ 
 
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(a) any notification, rule, regulation, bye-law, order or exemption issued, made or granted 
under the repealed Ordinance shall have effect as if it had been issued, made or granted 
under the corresponding provision of this Act; 
(b) any official appointed and any body elected or constituted under the repealed Ordinance 
shall continue and shall be deemed to have been appointed, elected or constituted, as 
the case may be, under the corresponding provision of this Act; 
(c) any document referring to the repealed Ordinance shall be constructed as referring, as 
far as may be, to this Act, or to the corresponding provision of this Act. 
(3) The provisions of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 1897), in general, and sections 6, 8 
and 24 thereof, in particular, shall apply to the repeal and re-enactment of the repealed Ordinance. 
_______ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         Date: 18.3.2025 
 
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