Explosives Act, 1884

Exact source transcription retained, including print layout and extraction artifacts. Text SHA-256: f348d6ffc37c49ba01ea8f32cac744cc785a4d3cb0c8b3d82870e18454ec4819.

Page 1 of 14 
 
 
 
 
THE EXPLOSIVES ACT, 1884 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title 
2. Commencement 
3. Repealed 
4. Definitions 
5. Power to make rules as to licensing of the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and 
importation of explosives 
5A.  Offences of minor and major violations 
5B. Trial of offences 
6. Power of the Federal Government to prohibit the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport, 
import or export of specially dangerous explosives 
6A.  Prohibition of manufacture, possession, sale or use, transport, import and export of explosives 
by young persons and certain other persons 
6B.  Jurisdiction 
7. Power to make rules conferring powers of inspection, search, seizure, detention and removal 
8. Notice of accidents 
9. Inquiry into accidents 
9A. Inquiry into more serious accidents 
9B. Offences by companies 
9C.  Assistance by organizations, etc. 
 

 
Page 2 of 14 
 
10. Forfeiture of explosives 
11. Distress of Aircraft or vessel 
12. Abetment and attempts 
13. Power to arrest without warrant persons committing dangerous offences 
14. Saving and power to exempt 
15. Saving of Arms Act, 1878 
16. Saving as to liability under other law 
17. Extension of definition of “explosive” to other explosive substances 
18. Procedure for making publication and confirmation of rules 
19. Transportation of explosives by air 
20. Removal of difficulties
 
Page 3 of 14 
 
THE EXPLOSIVES ACT, 1884 
1ACT NO. IV OF 1884 
[26th February, 1884] 
An Act to regulate the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and importation of Explosives. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to regulate the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and 
importation of explosives; It is hereby enacted as follows:__ 
1. Short Title. __ (1) This Act may be called the 2* Explosives Act, 1884; and 
3[(2) Local extent. It extends to the whole of Pakistan]. 
2. Commencement .__ (1) This Act shall come into force on such day 4 as the 5[Federal 
Government], by notification in the 6[official Gazette], appoints: 
7[*  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
3.Repealed. 8[*   *  *  *  *  *  *] 
4. Definitions.__ In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in the subject or context,__ 
9[(1) “explosives”__ 
 
 
 
1This Act has been declared, under s. 5, of the Scheduled Districts Act, 1874 (Act No. XIV of 1874), to be in force in Baluchistan,__ see Gazette of 
India, 1931, Pt. II-A, p. 358. 
It has also been extended to the Leased Areas of Baluchistan, see the Leased Areas (Laws) Order, 1950 (G. G. O.3 of 1950); and applied in the Federated 
Areas of Baluchistan, see Gazette of India, 1937, Pt. I, p. 1499. 
This Act has been extended to the Baluchistan States Union, see the Baluchistan States Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 4 of 
1953), as amended by the Baluchistan States Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) (Second Amdt.) Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 19 of 1953). 
It has been extended to the State of Bahawalpur, see the Bahawalpur (Extension of Federal Laws) Order 1953 (G. G. O. 11 of 1953), as amended by the 
Bahawalpur (Extension of Federal Laws) (Amdt.) Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 21 of 1953). 
It has also been extended to the Khairpur State, see G. G. O. 5 of 1953, as amended by G. G. O. 24 of 1953. 
The Act has been and shall be deemed to have been brought into force in Gwadur with effect from the 8th September, 1958, by the Gwadur 
(Application of Central Laws) Ordinance, 1960 (Ordinance No. XXXVII of 1960), s. 2. 
It has been applied to Phulera in the Excluded Area of Upper Tanawal to the extent the Act is applicable in the N.W.F.P., subject to certain modi- 
fications; see N.W.F.P. (Upper Tanawal) (Excluded Area) Laws Regulation, 1950. It has been extended to the Excluded Area of Upper Tanawal other 
than Phulera by the N.W.F.P. (Upper Tanawal) (Excluded Area) Laws Regulation, 1950 and declared to be in force in that area with effect from 1st June, 
1951, see N.W.F.P. Gazette, Extraordinary, dated 1-6-1951. 
For the law relating to explosive substances, see also the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 (Act No. VI of 1908). 
2Omitted by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (P. O. 4 of 1949). 
3Subs. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (Ordinance No. XXI of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955). 
4The 1st July 1887__ see Gazette of India, 1887, Pt. I, p. 307. 
5Subs. by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975 (P. O. 4 of 1975), Art. 2 and Table. 
6Subs. by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975 (P. O. 4 of 1975), Art. 2 and Sch. 
7Rep. by the Amending Act, 1891 (Act No. XII of 1891). 
8Rep. by the Indian Ports Act, 1889 (Act No. X of 1889), s. 2 and Sch. II. 
9Subs. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, s. 3. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 4 of 14 
 
(a) means gunpowder, nitroglycerine, nitroglycol, gun cotton, dinitrotoluence, 
trinitro toluene, picric acid, dinitro -phenol, trinitro resorcinol (styphnic acid), 
cyclo trimethylence trinitramine, penta erythritol tetranitrate, tetryl, 
nitroguanidine, lead azide, lead styphynate, fulminate of mercury or any other 
metal, diazo dinitro phenol, coloured fires or any other substances whether a 
single chemical compound or a mixture of substances, whether solid or liquid 
or gaseous used or manufactured with a view to  produce a practical effect by 
explosion or pyrotechinic effect; and 
(b)  includes,__ 
(i)  chemical compounds, compositions or mixture of which will produce, 
upon release of its potential energy, a sudden outburst of gases, thereby 
exerting high pressures on its surroundings. Explosives may be solid, 
liquid or gas, nitro compound or in the form of water gel or slurry 
1[emulsion]; 
(ii)  fog signals, firework s, fuses, rockets, precussion -caps, detonators, 
cartridges, ammunition of all descriptions and every a daptation or 
preparation of an explosives as defined in this clause; and 
(iii)  such other substance as the Federal Government may, by notification in 
the official Gazette, specify for the purposes of this sub-section.] 
1[(1A) “illegal activities” means any actions involving the manufacturing, storage, possession, 
procurement, sale, transport, import, export or use of explosives without any licence under thi s Act 
and rules made thereunder; 
(1B) “deliberate explosion” means incidents of any intentional acts or attempt thereof whether 
successful or failed involving the use, attempted use or preparation of improvised explosive devices 
attacks, using improvise explosive device precursors, which may include chemical, explosive, 
technical or physical materials; 
(1C) “major violations” means actions that cause significant risks to public life and their safety 
in terms of terrorism, involving unlawful trade or violate core provisions of this Act and rules made 
thereunder and includes unauthorized manufacturi ng of explosives, large scale possession without 
licence, smuggling or supplying explosives to criminals or any other person without having valid 
licence; 
(1D) “malicious intent” means a deliberate, willful or premeditated act to cause harm, endanger 
public life and their safety or violate the law with knowledge of its illegality and potential 
consequences and includes manufacturing explosives for terrorism, selling explosives to banned 
groups or proscribed organizations or intentionally bypassing explosives protocols;] 
2[(2) “manufacture” includes the preparation of explosive or any component parts of an 
explosive, the admixture or other treatment of the same, the breaking up or unmaking of any explosive, 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
1Ins., and added by Act No. XVII of 2025, s.2 
2Subs. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, s. 3. 
 
Page 5 of 14 
 
or making fit for use any damaged explosive of the processing of any substance or matter with a 
view to causing an explosion, implosion or disintegration, and the process of remaking, altering or 
repairing any explosive;] 
1[(2A) “minor violations” means procedural or technical violations by a licensee that do not 
directly endanger public life and their safety or do not involve in unlawful trade and includes failure 
to maintain records, operation on expired licences or minor storage non-compliance, cash payment or 
excess transportation; 
(2B) “non-malicious intent” means unintentional violations arising from negligence, lack of 
awareness or accidental circumstances without deliberate and harmful purpose and include 
administrative errors in licensing paperwork, accidental possession due to oversight or minor safety 
lapses;] 
(3) “vessel” includes every ship, boat and other vessel used in navigation, whether propelled 
by oars or otherwise: 
(4) “carriage” includes any carriage, wago n, cart, truck, vehicle or other means of conveying 
goods, or passengers by land, in whatever manner the same may be propelled: 
2[(5) “master”,__ 
(a)  in relation to any vessel or ship means any person, other than a pilot, harbour 
master, assistant harbour master or berthing master, having for the time being 
the charge or control of such vessel or aircraft, as the case may be; 
(b)  in relation to any boat belonging to a ship, means the master of that ship; and 
(c)  in relation to aircraft means captain of the aircraft;] 
(6) “import” means to bring into 3[Pakistan] by sea 2[, air] or land. 
2[(7) “aircraft” means any machine which can derive support in the atmosphere from the 
reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface, and includes balloons, 
whether fixed or free, airships, kites, gliders and flying machines, for this ordinance aircraft means 
cargo aircraft; 
2[(8) “export” means taking out of Pakistan to a place outside Pakistan by land, sea or air; 
(9) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules; and 
(10) “rules” means any rules made under the Act.] 
 
1Added by Act No. XVII of 2025, s.2 
2Subs., ins and added by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, s. 3. 
3Subs. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (Ordinance No. XXI of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955). 
 
Page 6 of 14 
 
5. Power to make rules as to licensing of the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport 
and importation of explosives.__ (1) The 1[Federal Government] 2[, in consultation with the provincial 
Governments,] may for any part of 3[Pakistan], 4[* * *] make rules consistent with this Act to regulate 
or prohibit, except under and in accordance with the conditions of a license granted as provided by 
those rules, the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport 2[, import and export] of explosives,  or 
any specified class of explosives. 
(2) Rules under this section may provide for all or any of the following, among other matters, 
that is to say:__ 
(a)  the authority by which licenses may be granted; 
(b)  the fees to be charged for licenses, and the o ther sums (if any) to be paid for 
expenses by applicants for licenses; 
(c)  the manner in which applications for licenses must be made, and the matters to 
be specified in such applications; 
(d)  the form in which, and the conditions on and subject to which, licenses must be 
granted; 
(e)  the period for which licenses are to remain in force; 2[*] 
(f)  the exemption absolutely or subject to conditions of any explosives from the 
operation of the rules 2[;] 
2[(g)  the authority to which appeals may be preferred  and the procedure to be 
followed by such authority; 
(h)  the total quantity of explosives that a licensee may possess in a given period of 
time; and 
(i)  the import and export of explosives by land, sea or air.] 
 (3)  5[* * * * * * *] 
5[5A. Offences of mi nor and major violations .__ (1) Where a licensee commits no minor 
violations which are non-malicious, he shall be liable to an administrative penalty not exceeding half 
a million rupees. 
 
 
1Subs. by the Central Adaption of Laws Order, 1964 (P. O. 1 of 1964), Art. 2 and Sch. 
2Ins., subs. & omitted by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, s. 3. 
3Subs. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (Ordinance No. XXI of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955). 
4Rep. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
5Omitted and Ins. by Act No. XVII of 2025, ss. 3 and 4. 
 
Page 7 of 14 
 
(2) Where a licensee commits minor violations which are malicious, he shall be liable to an 
administrative penalty not exceeding one million rupees. 
(3) Where a licensee commits major violations which are non -malicious, he shall be liable to 
imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding ten million rupees or both. 
(4) Where a licensee commits major violations which are m alicious, he shall be liable to 
imprisonment not exceeding seven years or a fine not exceeding twenty million rupees or both. 
(5) Whoever commits any act involving the manufacturing, storage, possession, procurement, 
sale, transport, import, export or use of explosives without any licence under this Act and rules made 
thereunder shall be liable to the punishments provided for in the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 (VI 
of 1908). 
5B. Trial of offences.__ The offences under this Act and under the Explosive Substances Act, 
1908 (VI of 1908) shall be tried by the Anti-terrorism Court established under the Anti-terrorism Act, 
1997 (XXVII of 1997).] 
1[6. Power of the Federal Government to prohibit the manufacture, possession, use, sale, 
transport, import or export of specially dangerous explosives .__ (1) Notwithstanding anything 
contained in this Act, the Federal Government may from time to time, by notification in the official 
Gazette, prohibit, either absolut ely or subject to conditions, the manufacture, possession, use, sale, 
transport, import or export of any explosive which is of so dangerous a character that, in the opinion 
of the Federal Government, it is expedient for the public safety to issue such notification. 
(2) The Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), shall have effect in relation to any explosive with 
regard to the importation of which a notification has been issued under sub -section (1), and the vessel, 
carriage or aircraft containing such explosive, as the said Act, have has in relation to any article the 
importation of which is prohibited or regulated thereunder, and shall apply accordingly to the vessel, 
carriage or aircraft containing such article. 
(3) Any person manufacturing, possessing, using, selling, transporting, importing or exporting 
any explosive in contravention of a notification issued under sub-section (1), shall be punishable with 
fine which may extend to 2[two million] rupees, and, in the case of importation by water , the owner 
and master of the vessel and in the case of importation by air, the owner and the master of the aircraft, 
in which the explosive is imported shall, in the absence of reasonable excuse, each be punishable with 
fine which may extend to 2[two million] rupees. 
1[6A. Prohibition of manufacture, possession, sale or use, transport, import and export of 
explosives by young persons and certain other persons .__ (1) Notwithstanding anything contained 
in this Act__ 
(a)  any person__ 
 
1Subs.& ins. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, s. 5 
2Subs. by Act No. XVII of 2025, s. 5. 
 
Page 8 of 14 
 
(i)  who has not completed the age of eighteen years; or 
(ii)  who has been sentenced on conviction of any offence involving violence 
or moral turpitude for a term of not less than six months at any time 
during a period of five years after the expiration of the sentence; or 
(iii)  who has been ordered to execute under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1898 (Act V of 1898), a bond for keeping the peace or for good behavior, 
at anytime during the terms of the bond; or 
(iv)  whose licence under this Act has been cancelled, for contravention of 
the provisions of this Act or of the rules made thereunder, at any time 
during a period of five years from the date of cancellation of such 
licence; 
shall not— 
(i)  manufacture, sell, transport import or export any explosive; or 
(ii)  possess or use any such explosive as the Federal Government may, 
having regard to the nature thereof, by notification in the official 
Gazette, specify; and 
(b)  no person shall sell, deliver or dispa tch any explosive to a person whom he 
knows or has reason to believe at the time of such sale, delivery or dispatch— 
(i)  to be prohibited under clause (a) to manufacture, sell, use, transport, 
import, export, or possess such explosive; or 
(ii)  to be of unsound mind or having physical disability. 
(2) Whoever__ 
(a)  manufactures, possesses, sells, transports, imports or exports any explosive in 
contravention of the provision of clause (a) of sub-section (1); or 
(b)  sells, delivers or dispatches any explosive in contravention of the provisions of 
clause (b) of sub-section (1). 
shall be punishable with a fine 1[which may extend to two million] rupees.] 
1[6B. Jurisdiction.__ (1) The administrative penalties under sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 
5A shall be imposed by the Department of Explosives in the prescribed manner. 
 
 
1Subs., and ins. by Act No. XVII of 2025, ss.6 and 7. 
  
 
Page 9 of 14 
 
(2) The Anti-terrorism Court established under the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997) 
shall have jurisdiction to try the offences under sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 5A. 
(3) Any person aggrieved by the decision of Anti -terrorist Court under sub -section (2) may 
prefer an appeal before the concerned High Court within thirty days from the date of c ommunication 
of such decision or order.] 
7. Power to make rules conferring powers of inspection, search, seizure, detention and 
removal.__ (1) The 1[Federal Government] 2[* * *] may make rules consistent with this Act authorizing 
any officer, either by name or in virtue of his office— 
(a)  to enter, inspect and examine any place, carriage 1[, aircraft] or vessel in which 
an explosive is being manufactured, possessed, used, sold, transported 1[, 
exported] or imported under a license granted under this Act, or in which he has 
reason to believe that an explosive has been or is being manufactured, 
possessed, used, sold, transported 1[, exported] or imported in contravention of 
this Act or of the rules made under this Act; 
(b)  to search for explosives therein; 
(c)  to take samples of any explosive found therein on payment of the value thereof; 
and 
(d)  to seize, detain, remove and, if necessary, destroy any explosive found therein. 
(2) The provisions of the 3[Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898(Act V of 1898)] re lating to 
searches under that Code shall, so far as the same are applicable, apply to searches by officers 
authorized by rules under this section. 
8. Notice of accidents.__ 4[(1)] Whenever there occurs in or about, or in connection with, any 
place in which an explosive is manufactured, possessed or used, or any carriage 1[,aircraft] or vessel 
either conveying an explosive or on or from which an explosive is being loaded or unl oaded, any 
accident by explosion or by fire attended with loss of human life or serious injury to person or property, 
or of a description usually attended with such loss or injury, the occupier of the place, or the master of 
the vessel 1[or aircraft],or the person in charge of the carriage, as the case may be, shall 4[within such 
time and in such manner as may be by rule prescribed give notice thereof and of the attendant loss of 
human life or personal injury, if any, to the 5[Director General Explosives] and to the officer in charge 
of the nearest police-station. 
4[(2) Whoever in contravention of sub -section (1) fails to give notice of any accident shall be 
punishable with fine which may extend to 5[half a million] rupees or if the accident is attended by loss 
 
1Ins. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, ss. 7 and 8. 
2Rep. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
3Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (Ordinance No. XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and Sch., II. 
4Re-numbered, subs., and added by Ordinance, 1945 (Ordinance No. XVIII of 1945), s. 2. 
5Subs. by Act No. XVII of 2025, ss. 8 and 10. 
 
Page 10 of 14 
 
of human life, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with 
both.] 
1[9.Inquiry into accidents.__ (1) Where any accident such as is referred to in section 8 occurs 
in or about or in connection with any place, carriage 2[, aircraft] or vessel under the control of any of 
3[the armed forces of Pakistan], an inquiry into the causes of the accident shall be held by the naval, 
military, or air force authority concerned, and where any such accident occurs in any other 
circumstances, the district Magistrate 4[* * *] shall, in cases attended by loss of human life, or may, in 
any other case, hold or direct a Magistrate sub-ordinate to him to hold, such an inquiry. 
(2) Any person holding an inquiry under this section shall have all t he powers of a Magistrate 
in holding an inquiry into an offence under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898(V of 1898) and may 
exercise such of the powers conferred on any officer by rules under section 7 as he may think it 
necessary or expedite to exercise for the purposes of the inquiry. 
(3) The person holding an inquiry under this section shall make a report to the 2[Federal 
Government] stating the causes of the accident and its circumstances. 
(4) The 2[Federal Government] may make rules__ 
(a)  to regulate the procedure at inquiries under this section; 
(b)  to enable the 5[Director General Explosives] to be present or represented at any 
such inquiry; 
(c)  to permit the 5[Director General Explosives] or his representative to examine 
any witnesses at the inquiry; 
 (d)  to provide that where the 5[Director General Explosives] is not present or 
represented at any such inquiry, a report of the proceedings thereof shall be sent 
to him; 
(e)  to prescribe the manner in which and the time within which notices  referred to 
in section 8 shall be given. 
9A. Inquiry into more serious accidents.⎯ (1) The 2[Federal Government] may, where it is 
of opinion, whether or not it has received the report of an inquiry under section 9, that an inquiry of 
more formal character should be held into the causes of an accident such as is referred to in section 8, 
appoint the 5[Director General Explosives] or any other competent person to hold such inquiry, and 
may also appoint one or more persons possessing legal or special knowledge to act as assessors in such 
inquiry. 
 
 
1Subs. by Ordinance No. XVIII of 1945, s. 2. 
2Ins., and subs. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, ss. 9 and 2. 
3Subs. by the Central Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1961 (P. O. 1 of 1961), Art 2 and Sch. (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 
4Omitted by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (P. O. 4 of 1949), Sch. 
5Subs. by Act No. XVII of 2025, s. 10. 
 
Page 11 of 14 
 
(2) Where the 1[Federal Government] orders an inquiry under this section, it may also direct 
that any inquiry under section 9 pending at the time shall be discontinued. 
(3) The person appointed to hold an inquiry under this section shall have all the powers of a 
Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908(V of 1908), for the purposes of enforcing the 
attendance of witnesses and compelling the production of documents and material objects; and every 
person required by such person as aforesaid to furnish any information shall be deemed to be legally 
bound so to do within the meaning of section 176 of the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860). 
(4) Any person holding an inquiry under this section may exercise such of the powers conferred 
on any officer by rules under section 7 as he may think it necessary or expedient to exercise for the 
purposes of the inquiry. 
(5) The person holding an inquiry  under this section shall make a report to the 1[Federal 
Government] stating the causes of the accident and its circumstances, and adding any observations 
which he or any of the assessors may think fit to make; and the 1[Federal Government] shall cause 
every report so made to be published at such time and in such manner as it may think fit. 
(6) The 1[Federal Government] may make rules for regulating the procedure at inquiries under 
this section.] 
1[9B. Offences by companies __ Where the person guilty of an offence under this Act, is a 
company, corporation, firm or institution, every director, partner and concerned employee of the 
company, corporation, firm or institution shall, unless he proves that the offence was committed 
without his knowledge or consent, be guilty of the offence.] 
2[9C. Assistance by organizations, etc .__ (1) In performance of his functions, the Director 
General Explosives may by an order in writing__ 
(a)  call for information from any person for the purpose of satisfying himself 
whether there has been any contravention of the provisions of this Act or any 
rules made thereunder; 
(b)  require any person to produce or deliver any document or thing useful or 
relevant to the inquiry or investigation under this Act: 
(c)  examine any person acquainted with the facts; or 
(d)  seek expert opinion by co -opting any person in service of the Federal or 
Provincial Government or any body under control of such Government. 
(2) The information, expert opinion or assistance sought by the Director General Explosives 
under sub-section (1) shall be provided by the person from whom such information, expert opinion or 
assistance is sought.] 
 
1Ins., and subs. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, ss. 2 and 10. 
2Ins. by Act No. XVII of 2025, s. 9. 
 
Page 12 of 14 
 
10. Forfeiture of explosives.__ When a person is convicted of an offence punishable under this 
Act or the rules made under this Act, the Court before which he is convicted may direct that the 
explosive, or ingredient of the explosive, or the substance (if any) in respect of which the offence has 
been committed, or any part of that explosive, ingredient or substance, shall, with the receptacles 
containing the same, be forfeited. 
 1[11. Distress of aircraft or vessel. __ Where the owner or master of any aircraft o r vessel is 
adjudged under this Act or the rules, to pay a fine for any offence committed with, or in relation to, 
that aircraft or vessel, the Court may, in addition to any other power it may have for the purpose of 
compelling payment of the fine, direct it to be levied by distress and sale of,__ 
(a)  the aircraft and its furniture or so much of the furniture; or 
(b)  the vessel and the tackle, apparel and furniture of such vessel or so much of the 
tackle, apparel and furniture thereof,  
 
as is necessary for the payment of the fine.] 
 
12. Abetment and attempts.__ Whoever abets, within the meaning of the Pakistan Penal Code 
(XLV of 1860), the commission of an offence punishable under this Act, or the rules made under this 
Act, or attempts to commit any such offence and in such attempt does any act towards the commission 
of the same, shall be punished as if he had committed the offence. 
13. Power to arrest without warrant persons committing dangerous offences. __ Whoever 
is found committing any act for which he is punishable under this Act or the rules under this Act, and 
which tends to cause explosion or fire in or about any place where an explosive is manufactured or 
stored, or any railway or port, or any carria ge, 1[aircraft or vessel], may be apprehended without a 
warrant by a Police-officer, or by the occupier of, or the agent or servant of, or other person authorized 
by the occupier of, that place, or by any agent or servant of, or other person authorized by, the railway 
administration of conservator of the port 1[or the officer -in-charge of the air port], and be removed 
from the place where he is arrested and conveyed as soon as conveniently may be before a 6[Judicial 
Magistrate]. 
2[14. Saving and power to exempt .__ (1) Nothing in this Act, except sections 8, 9 and 9A, 
shall apply to the manufacture, possession, use, transport or 1[, import and export] of any explosive— 
(a)  by any of 3[the armed forces of Pakistan] in accordance with rules or regulations 
made by 3[* * *] the 4[Federal Government]; 
(b)  by any person employed under 5[the 1[Federal Government] 4[* * *]] in 
execution of this Act. 
 
1Subs. & ins. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, ss. 11, 12 and 14. 
2Subs. by Ordinance No. XVIII of 1945, s. 4. 
3Subs., and omitted by the Central Laws Adaptation Order, 1961 (P. O. 1 of 1961), Art 2 and Sch. (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 
4Subs., and omitted by the Federal Adaptation of Laws Order, 1975 (P. O. 4 of 1975), Art. 2 and Sch. 
5Subs. by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P. O. 1 of 1964), Art. 2 and Sch. 
6Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (Ordinance No. XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and Sch., II.  
 
 
Page 13 of 14 
 
(2) The 1[Federal Government] may by notification in the official Gazette exempt, absolutely 
or subject to any such conditions as it may think fit t o impose, any explosive from all or any of the 
provisions of this Act. 
15. Saving of Arms Act, 1878. __ Nothing in this Act shall affect the provisions of the Arms 
Act,1878 2[and the Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 1965 (W.P. Ordinance No. XX of 1965).] 
Provided that an authority granting a license under this Act for the manufacture, possession 
sale, transport 1[,import and export] of an explosive may, if empowered in this behalf by the rules 
under which the license is granted, direct by an order written on the license that it shall have the effect 
of a like license granted under the said Arms Act (XI of 1878). 
16. Saving as to liability under other law. __ Nothing in this Act or the rules under this Act 
shall prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any act or omission which 
constitutes an offence against this Act or those rules, or from being liable under that other law to any 
other or higher punishment or penalty than that provided by this Act or those rules: Provided that a 
person shall not be punished twice for the same offence. 
17. Extension of definition of “explosive” to other explosive substances. __ The 1[Federal 
Government] may, from time to time, by notification in the 3[official Gazette], declare 4 that any 
substance which appears to the 1[Federal Government] to be specially dangerous to life or property, 
by reason either of its explosive properties or of any process in the manufacture thereof being liable to 
explosion, shall be deemed to be an explosive within the meaning of  this Act, and the provisions of 
this Act (subject to such exceptions, limitations and restrictions as may be specified in the notification) 
shall accordingly extend to that substance in like manner as if it were included in the definition of the 
term “explosive” in this Act. 
18. Procedure for making publication and confirmation of rules .__ 5(1) An authority 
making rules under this Act shall, before making the rules, publish a draft of the proposed rules for the 
information of persons likely to be affected thereby. 
(2) The publication shall be made in such manner as the 1[Federal Government], from time to 
time, by notification in the 3[official Gazette] prescribes. 
(3) There shall be published with the draft a notice specifying a date at or after which the draft 
will be taken into consideration. 
(4) The authority making the rules shall receive and consider any objection or suggestion which 
may be made by any person with respect to the draft before the date so specified. 
 
1Subs. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, ss. 2 and 14. 
2Ins. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (Ordinance No. XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. 
3Subs. by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
4Picric acid with certain exceptions has been declared to be an Explosive within the meaning of this Act, see Gazette of India, 1926, Pt. I, p. 1264. 
5Sub-sections (1) to (4) of section 18 were deemed to have been omitted during the Continuance of the Explosives (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1945 (Ordinance 
No. XVIII of 1945), since rep. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act, 1951 (Act No. XXVI of 1951), s. 2. 
 
Page 14 of 14 
 
(5) A rule made under this Act shall not take effect 1[***] until it has been published in the 
1[official Gazette], 1[* * *]. 
(6) The publication in the 1[official Gazette] of a rule purporting to be made under this Act 
shall be conclusive evidence that it has been duly made, and, if it requires sanction, that it has been 
duly sanctioned. 
(7) All powers to make rules conferre d by this Act may be exercised from time to time as 
occasion requires. 
2[19. Transportation of explosives by air. __ The transportation of explosives by air shall be 
carried out by cargo and other permissible aircraft and not by passenger aircraft in accordance with the 
rules and regulations of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Air Transport 
Association (IATA) and Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan (CAA). 
20. Removal of difficulties. __ If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this 
Ordinance, the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make such provisions, 
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, as may appear to it to be appropriate or 
necessary for the purpose of removing such difficulty.] 
 
_______ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                     Dated. 07-07-2025 
1Rep., and subs.  by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937. 
2Ins. by Ordinance No. CV of 2002, s. 15.