THE WOMEN IN DISTRESS AND DETENTION FUND ACT, 1996 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 
3. Establishment of the Fund. 
4. Purpose of the Fund. 
5. Sources of Fund. 
6. Board of Governors. 
7. Functions and powers of the Board. 
8. Exemption from tax. 
9. Accounts of the Fund, etc. 
10. Delegation of Powers. 
11. Rules.

 
 
THE WOMEN IN DISTRESS AND DETENTION FUND ACT, 1996  
ACT NO. XV OF 1996 
 
An Act to establish a fund for women in distress and detention 
 
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for establishment of a fund for women in distress and 
detention in need of legal aid and assistance and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; 
 
It is hereby enacted as follows: — 
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement. —(1) This Act may be called the Women in 
Distress and Detention Fund Act, 1996. 
 
(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)   “Board means the Board Governors set up under section 6 ; 
 
(b) “Fund” means the Fund for women in Distress and Detention established under 
section 3; and 
 
(c) “women in distress and detention” means a female or a class of females in need of 
financial assistance to alleviate her or their miseries due to detention, litigation or for 
similar connected matters. 
 
3.  Establishment of the Fund. The Federal Government shall establish the Fund for 
Women in Distress and Detention to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
 
4.  Purpose of the Fund.The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide financial and legal 
assistance to women in distress and detention. 
 
5.  Sources of Fund.—(1) The Fund shall consist of the following sources, namely:— 
 
(a) grants from the Federal Government and Provincial Governments; 
 
(b) aid and assistance from local, national and international agencies; 
 
(c)  contributions from the statutory bodies,,  corporations, private organizations and 
individuals;1[*] 
 
 
 
1Omitted by Ord. 112 of 2002,s.2. 
 
 
(d)  income and earnings from the moveable and immovable properties acquired or leased 
by the fund1[;and]  
 
1[(e) any income from the investment of the amount credited to the Fund.] 
 
(2) The amount credited to the Fund shall not lapse at the end of a financial year and shall 
be available for utilization at any time. 
 
1[(3) The capital of the Fund in full or a part thereof may be invested in any Gov ernment 
savings scheme and the interest, profit or earnings thus obtained may be utilized for the purposes of 
the Fund.] 
 
6.  Board of Governors.  — (1) The management, overall control and supervision of the 
affairs of the Fund shall vest in a Board of Governors consisting of the following members,  
namely: — 
 
2[(a)  Minister-in-charge of the Administrative Division;    Chairperson 
 
 
(b) One-women member each of the National Assembly      Members 
 and the Senate to be nominated by the Speaker and the 
 Chairman respectively; 
 
(c) Secretary of the administrative Division         Member 
 
(d) One women prominent social worker from each province      Members 
 to be nominated by the Provincial government; and 
 
(e)  An officer in BS-20 or above of the administrative Division  Member-cum- 
               Secretary] 
 
  
 
(2) The members of the Board, other than ex­officio members, shall hold office for a term 
of three years and shall be eligible for re­appointment. 
 
(3) No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid merely on the ground of existence 
of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board. 
 
(4) The Board may coopt any other persons for performance of its functions. 
 
 
 
1Added by Ord. 112 of 2002,s.2. 
2Subs, by Act No. XIX of 2018, s.2.
 
 
(5)  The Secretariat of the Board shall be at Islamabad. 
 
(6)  The Board may appoint an executive committee for carrying out its functions as may 
be assigned to it by the Board. 
 
(7) The meeting of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairman or, in his absence, by 
the Secretary, Ministry of 1[Human Rights.] 
 
7.  Functions and powers of the Board. The Board shall— 
 
(a)  sanction disbursement out of the fund amongst women in distress and detention; 
 
(b) make appointment of the staff of the Board; 
 
(c) acquire, sell and purchase property of the fund; and 
 
(d) manage and control the fund. 
 
8.  Exemption from tax. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Income Tax 
Ordinance, 1979  (XXXI of 1979 ), Wealth Tax Act, 1963 (XV of 1963) , Zakat and Ushr 
Ordinance, 1980 (XVIII of 1980), all contributions and donations to be Fund shall be exempt 
from levy of these taxes and deduction of Zakat. 
 
9.  Accounts of the Fund, etc . — (1) The accounts of the Fund shall be audited by the 
Auditor­ General of Pakistan and shall be laid before the National Assembly. 
 
(2)  The Board shall, periodically, submit reports to the Federal Government relating to 
the Fund and its activities. 
 
10.  Delegation of Powers. The Board may delegate all or any its powers and functions to 
the Chairman or a member of the Board, executive committee, Provincial Government or any other 
authority as it may deem fit. 
11.  Rules.—(1) The Board may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
 
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such 
rules may include— 
 
(a) procedure for disbursement of the fund; 
 
(b) resignation of non­official members ; and 
 
(c) appointment of members on seats becoming vacant due to death or resignation of a 
non­ official member. 
 
 
1Subs. by Act I of 2012. s.2.