Emigration Ordinance, 1979

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THE EMIGRATION ORDINANCE,1979 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
___________ 
 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1.  Short title, extent, application and commencement 
2.  Definitions 
 
CHAPTER II 
DIRECTOR­GENERAL AND PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS 
 
3.  Director­General, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment 
4.  Functions of Director­General 
4A.  Functions of Corporation 
4B.  Protection of interests of Overseas Pakistanis 
5.  Appointment of Protectors of Emigrants 
6.  General duties of Protector Emigrants 
7.  Appointment of Labour Attaches 
 
CHAPTER III 
EMIGRATION 
8.  Regulation of emigration 
 
CHAPTER IV 
GENERAL 
9.  Prohibition of advertisement, etc. 

 
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10.  Advisory Committee 
11.  Power to search and detain vessels, etc. 
CHAPTER V 
APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT PROMOTERS 
 
12.  Grant of Overseas Employment Promoter’s Licence 
13.  Powers to withdraw licences 
14.  Delegation of power to Director-General to receive and dispose of applications 
15.  Appearance of engaged persons before, and registration of names by Protector of Emigrants 
 
CHAPTER VI 
RULES 
16.  Power to make rules 
 
CHAPTER VII 
OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE 
 
17.  Unlawful emigration, etc. 
18.  Fraudulently inducing to emigrate etc. 
19.  False representation of Government authority 
20.  Violation of terms of agreement with foreign employer by emigrant 
21.  Certain amount recoverable as arrears of land revenue 
22.  Receiving, money, etc., for providing foreign employment 
23.  Penalty for other offences 
24.  Special Courts 
24A.  Appeal 
25.  Indemnity  
 
CHAPTER VIII 
VALIDATION, SAVINGS, ETC. 
 
26.  Validation 
27.  Savings 
28  [Omitted] 
 
 
 
 
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THE EMIGRATION ORDINANCE, 1979 
 
ORDINANCE No. XVIII OF 1979 
 
[23rd March, 1979] 
 
AN  
ORDINANCE 
 to repeal and, with certain modifications, re‑enact the Emigration Act, 1922 
 
WHEREAS it is expedient to repeal and, with certain modifications, re‑enact the Emigration 
Act, 1922 (VII of 1922); 
 
AND WHEREAS the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary 
to take immediate action ; 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the fifth day of July, 1977, read with 
the Laws (Continuance in Force) Order, 1977 (C.M.L.A. Order No. 1 of 1977), and in exercise of 
all po wers enabling him in that behalf, the President is pleased to make and promulgate the 
following Ordinance:― 
 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent, application and commencement. ―(1) This Ordinance may be 
called the Emigration Ordinance, 1979. 
 
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan and applies to all citizens of Pakistan, wherever they 
may be. 
 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
 
2. Definitions.―(1) In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or 
context,― 
 
(a)  “Bureau” means the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment ; 
 
(b)  “conveyance” means any vehicle, aircraft or ship used for the transportation of 
emigrants; 
 
(c)  “Corporation” means the Overseas Employment Corporation Limited ; 
 
(d)  “depart” and “departure” means the departure out of Pakistan of any person 
for employment or self‑employment by any means ; 
 
(e)  “dependent”, in relation to an emigrant, means the spouse, sons not above the 
age of twenty‑one years, and unmarried sisters and daughters of the emigrant, 
and includes aged or incapacitated parents, incapacitated sons above the age 
of twenty‑one years and widowed and divorced sisters and daughters of the 
emigrant wholly dependent upon and residing with the emigrant and the sons 
 
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not above the age of twenty‑one years, and dependent unmarried daughters, of 
such widowed or divorced sisters or daughters ; 
 
(f)  “Director‑General” means the Director‑General, Bureau of Emigration and 
Overseas Employment, appointed under section 3, and includes any person for 
the time being discharging the functions of Director­General ; 
 
(g)  “emigrant” means any person who emigrates or has emigrated or who has been 
registered as an emigrant under this Ordinance and includes any dependent of 
an emigrant ; 
 
(h)  “emigrate” and “emigration” means the departure by sea, air or land out of 
Pakistan of any person for the purpose, or with the intention, of working for 
hire or engaging in any trade, profession or calling in any country beyond the 
limits of Pakistan ; 
 
(i)  “foreign service agreement” means an agreement between an emigrant and his 
prospective employer abroad or his authorised Overseas Employment promoter 
in Pakistan containing terms and conditions of his employment and duly 
registered with the prescribed authority; 
 
(j)  “Overseas Employment Promoter” means a person licensed as such under 
section 12 ; 
 
1[(ja)  “Overseas Pakistani” means a citizen of Pakistan under the Pakistan 
Citizenship Act,1951 (II of 1951), or a holder of National Identity Card for 
Overseas Pakistanis under the National Database and Registration Authority 
Ordinance,2000 (VIII of 2000), who is working or residing abroad permanently 
or temporarily for not less than six months] 
 
(k)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules ; 
 
(l)  “Protector of Emigrants” means a Protector of Emigrants appointed under 
section 5; 
 
(m)  “rules” means rules made under this Ordinance. 
 
(2) In case of any doubt or dispute arising otherwise than in the course of any legal 
proceedings as to whether any person is an emigrant within the meaning of this Ordinance, the 
question shall be determined by the 2[secretary of the division concerned], and such determination shall 
be final. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
DIRECTOR‑GENERAL AND PROTECTOR OF EMIGRANTS 
 
3. Director-General, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment.―(1)The 
2[Prime Minister or a person authorized by him]  may appoint a p erson to be the Director-General, 
Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, for the whole of Pakistan and such other officers 
as may be necessary or expedient to assist the Director‑General. 
 
 
 
1Ins. by Act No. XVIII of 2016, s.2. 
2Subs. by Act No. XLIV of 2021, ss. 2-3. 
 
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(2) The Director‑General and every other officer appointed under sub­section (1) shall be a 
public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 
 
4. Functions of Director-General.―Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and the 
overall supervision and control of the Federal Government, the Director‑General shall take such 
measures as may be necessary― 
 
(a)        1[* *  * *  * *   *] 
  
(b)  to control and regulate such emigration ; 
 
(c)  to look after the interest and welfare of emigrants ; 
 
and to discharge and perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned to him by the Federal 
Government. 
 
 2[4A. Functions of Corporation.⸺Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and the over 
all supervision and control of the 3[secretary of the division concerned], the Corporation shall take such 
measures as may be necessary to promote emigration of citizens of Pakistan.] 
 
4[4B. Protection of interests of Overseas Pakistanis.―(1) Subject to provisions  of this 
Ordinance, the Director General, upon receipt of a complaint from an Overseas Pakistani or a holder 
of Pakistan Origin Card regarding any matter including illegal dispossession of property, after having 
been satisfied that the complaint is prima facie genuine, shall, in accordance with such procedure as 
may be prescribed and within fifteen days of receipt of such complaint, refer it to the Government 
concerned for appropriate action, with a copy to the complainant. 
 
(2) The Director General shall submit annual report to the Federal Government regarding 
status of complaints received under sub­section (1).] 
 
5.  Appointment of Protectors of Emigrants.—(1) The 3[secretary of the division 
concerned] may appoint a person to be a Protector of Emigrants and define the area to which the 
authority of a Protector of Emigrants so appointed shall extend. 
 
(2) Every Protector of Emigrants shall be a public servant within the meaning of the 
Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 
 
6. General duties of Protector Emigrants.— Every Protector of Emigrants shall discharge 
such duties as may be assigned to him by the 3[secretary of division concerned]. 
 
7. Appointment of Labour Attaches.⸺The 3[Prime Minister or a person authorized by 
him] may, for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of emigrants and promoting Overseas 
Employment, appoint a person to be a Labour Attache in a place outside Pakistan and may define his 
duties. 
 
 
 
1Omitted by Ord. No. LIV of 1980, s. 2. 
2Ins. ibid., s. 3. 
3Subs. by Act No. XLIV of 2021, ss. 4-7. 
4Ins. by Act No. XVIII of 2016, s. 3. 
 
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CHAPTER III 
EMIGRATION 
8. Regulation of emigration.―(1) Emigration from Pakistan to all countries of the world for 
the time being recognised by Pakistan shall be lawful if it is in conformity with the provisions of 
this Ordinance and the rules. 
 
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and the rules and any other law for the time 
being in force, the emigration of a citizen of Pakistan shall be lawful if he is in possession of a letter 
of appointment or a work permit from a foreign employer or an employment visa or an emigration 
visa from a  foreign Government, or he has been selected for emigration by the foreign employer 
through the Director‑General or by an Overseas Employment Promoter or under an agreement 
or treaty between the Government of Pakistan and a foreign Government. 
 
(3) If the Federal Government, having r egard to the occupation, profession, vocation or 
qualifications of any person or class of persons, is satisfied that emigration of such person or class of 
persons is not in the public interest, it may, by rules, regulate emigration of such person or class of 
persons ; and the departure of such person or class of persons otherwise than in accordance with such 
rules shall not be lawful. 
 
(4) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, prohibit, from a date 
and for reasons to be specified in the notification, all persons or any specified class of persons from 
emigrating to all or any specified country. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
GENERAL 
 
9. Prohibition of advertisement, etc.—No person other than the Corporation shall 
recruit a citizen of Pakistan or issue an advertisement or publish any material or hold any interview 
or examination for such recruitment for the purpose of emigration, except with the prior permission 
of the Director­General or the Protector of Emigrants of the area, in accordance with such conditions, 
if any, as may be prescribed. 
 
10. Advisory Committee.—The 1[Prime Minister]  may, for the purpose of advising the 
Government, constitute an Advisory Committee, in such manner as it may think fit, and may prescribe 
the procedure to be followed and the functions to be performed by such Committee. 
 
11. Power to search and detain vessels, etc.—The Director‑General, a Protector of 
Emigrants or any officer authorised by the 1[secretary of the division concerned] may, for the purpose 
of preventing the commission of any offence under this Ordinance, exercise all the powers conferred 
on the officers of customs by the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), with regard to the searching 
and detention of vessels or otherwise for the prevention of smuggling on board thereof and, for 
this purpose, he shall have the authority to enter any port or point of entry or departure or inspect 
any conveyance carrying or bringing or believed to be carrying or bringing any emigrant. 
 
 
 
 
1Subs. by Act No. XLIV of 2021, ss. 8-9. 
 
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CHAPTER V 
APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT PROMOTERS 
12. Grant of Overseas Employment Promoter’s Licence.―(1) Whoever desires to 
engage, or to assist or to recruit any person to emigrate shall apply for a licence to the 1[secretary of 
the division concerned] and shall with his application furnish such information and documents, pay 
such security and fee, and at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed. 
 
(2) On receiving an application under sub­section (1), the 1[secretary of the division concerned] 
may, after such inquiry as it may deem necessary, grant the licence applied for on such terms and 
conditions, if any, and on payment of such fee and on furnishing such security, as may be prescribed, 
or withhold such licence, and the decision of the 1[secretary of the division concerned] shall be final. 
 
2[(2A) A licence issued under the Emigration Act, 1922 (VII of 1922), shall be deemed to have 
been issued under this Ordinance, but it shall not be deemed to be a valid licence unless the security 
and fee for the said licence as prescribed by this Ordinance and the rules made thereunder have duly 
been paid.] 
 
(3) If at any time during the period for which a licence is valid the 1[secretary of the 
division concerned] is satisfied, after making such inquiry as 1[he] may deem necessary , that the 
licensee has been guilty of misconduct, or that his conduct and performance as a licensee has been 
otherwise unsatisfactory, or that he has committed a breach of any of the provisions of this 
Ordinance or the rules or the prescribed code of conduct, the 1[secretary of the division concerned] 
may, by order in writing, cancel the licence or suspend it for a specified period and may also pass 
orders in regard to the forfeiture of the security furnished under sub-section (2) in whole or in part, 
and the decision of the 1[secretary of the division concerned] shall be final. 
 
3[(3A)  Before an order is passed under sub­section (3), the licensee shall be  afforded an 
opportunity of being heard.] 
 
(4) On the expiry of the period for which the licence is granted, or on being informed by the 
licensee that he does not propose to continue to act as an Overseas Employment Promoter, and on 
being satisfied that no ground exists for forfeiting the security in whole or in part the 1[secretary of 
the division concerned] may order the return of the security or any part thereof to the person by whom 
it was furnished or to his authorized representative. 
 
13. Powers to withdraw licences.—Notwithstanding anything contained in this Ordinance, 
if, at any time, it appears to the Federal Government that, in the public interest, it is necessary to 
discontinue the practice of granting licences to Overseas Employment Promoters, it may, by 
notification in the official Gazette, withdraw all such licences and entrust the functions concerning 
emigration for employment abroad to the Corporation or any other institution established or controlled 
by Government, in such manner as it may deem fit. 
 
14. Delegation of power to Director‑General to receive and dispose of 
applications.―(1) The 1[secretary of the division concerned] may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, delegate its powers under section 12 to the Director‑General or any other officer: 
 
1Subs. by Act No. XLIV of 2021, ss. 10-11. 
2Ins. Ord. No. XI of 1981, s. 2, (w.e.f. 23­3­79). 
3Ins. by Act No.VI of 1985, s. 2. 
 
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Provided that an appeal shall lie to the 1[secretary of the division concerned] from an order 
passed by the Director‑General or any other officer in exercise of the power delegated to him, and 
the decision of the 1[secretary of the division concerned] 2[taken after the appellant has been afforded 
an opportunity of being heard] shall, subject to sub-section (2), be final. 
 
(2) The 1[secretary of the division concerned] may review its decision under sub­section (1) and 
the decision of the 1[secretary of the division concerned] in review shall be final 3[:] 
 
3[Provided that, before a decision is taken in review, the licensee to whom the decision relates 
shall be afforded an opportunity of being heard.] 
 
(3) The Director‑General shall maintain, in such form as may be prescribed, a register of the 
names of all persons to whom licences have been granted under sub­section (2) of section 12. 
 
15. Appearance of engaged persons before, and registration of names by Protector 
of Emigrants.― Before any person emigrates, he shall appear in person 4[or in the prescribed manner 
through video link or such other modern devices], alongwith the Overseas Employment Promoter by 
whom he has been engaged or assisted or recruited for employment abroad or his duly authorised 
representative, before the Protector of Emigrants and furnish to him such information as may be 
prescribed. 
 
 
CHAPTER VI 
RULES 
16. Power to make rules.―(1) The Federal Government may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance. 
 
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules 
may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:― 
 
(a)  the powers and duties of the several officers appointed by the Federal 
Government under this Ordinance ; 
 
(b)  the licencing, supervision and control of Overseas Employment Promoters and 
the prohibition of unlicenced persons from being engaged in causing or assisting 
or recruiting persons to emigrate and in the conveyance and accommodation of 
emigrants; 
 
(c)  the establishment, supervision and regulation of any places of accommodation 
provided for emigrants and for their medical care while resident there ; 
 
(d)  the forms to be maintained and the returns to be submitted by the Overseas 
Employment Promoters and the Corporation ; 
 
(e)  the information to be furnished by Overseas Employment Promoters to 
emigrants and the language in which such information is to be furnished ; 
 
 
1Subs. by Act No. XLIV of 2021, s. 11. 
2Ins. by Act No. VI of 1985, s. 3. 
3Subs. and added ibid. 
4Ins. by Act No. LIV of 2023, s. 2. 
 
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 (f)  the production and examination of emigrants before the Protector of Emigrants 
or such other authorities as may be appointed is this behalf ; 
(g) the age below which person of either sex may not emigrate except as 
dependents; 
(h)  the reception and the despatch to their homes of returning emigrants ; 
(i)  the fees, if any, payable by Overseas Employment Promoters to the protectors 
of Emigrants for each emigrant departing from Pakistan ; 
(j)  execution of a bond by an emigrant, or a person proceeding abroad for 
education, studies or training, or any other purpose, in which he undertakes to 
return to Pakistan after a specified period ; 
(k)  setting up of training centres and orientation and briefing centres to guide and 
advise intending emigrants and their dependents proceeding abroad ; 
(l)  the recall and repatriation in the public interest of such emigrants as may be 
prescribed; 
(m)  the time within which an appeal under the proviso to sub­section (1) of section 
14 may be presented; 
(n)  creation of welfare fund and measures for the welfare of emigrants and their 
dependents and establishment of machinery at home and abroad for the 
implementation of such rules; 
(o)  the disposal of complaints against Overseas Employment Promoters ; 
(p)  the formation of an Overseas Employment Promoters’ Association and code of 
conduct to be observed by Overseas Employment Promoters; 
(q)  the service charges to be  paid to Overseas Employment Promoters and the 
Corporation by the emigrants ; and 
(r)  the depositing of fees and securities by Overseas Employment Promoters. 
    CHAPTER VII 
OFFENCES PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE 
17. Unlawful emigration, etc.―(1) Whoever, except in conformity with the provisions of 
this Ordinance and the rules, emigrates or departs or attempts to emigrate or depart shall be 
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years 1[and with fine up to one 
million rupees]. 
(2) Whoever, except in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance or of the rules,— 
(a)  makes, or attempts to make, any agreement with any person purporting to 
bind that person, or any other person, to emigrate or depart ; or 
 
1Subs. by Act No. VIII of 2025, s.2.  
 
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(b)  causes or assists, or attempts to cause or assist, any person to emigrate or depart 
or to attempt to emigrate or depart or to leave any place for the purpose of 
emigrating or departing ; or 
(c)  causes any person engaged, assisted or r ecruited by him, after grant of the 
licence referred to in section 12, to depart without appearing before the 
Protector of Emigrants as required by section 15 ; 
shall be punishable― 
(i)  for a first offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five 
years, or with fine, or with both ; and 
(ii)  for a second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may 
extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both. 
 (3) When, in the course of any proceeding in connection with emigration in which an 
Overseas Employment Promoter is concerned, a breach of the provisions of this Ordinance or of the 
rules is committed, such person shall be liable to the punishment provided by sub-section (2), unless 
he proves that he was not responsible for and could not have prevented the commission of the breach. 
 (4) Whoever, in contravention of the provisions of section 9, recruits a citizen of Pakistan 
or holds an interview or examination or issues an advertisement for such recruitment, and the editor, 
printer and publisher of a newspaper in which such advertisement is published, shall be liable to the 
punishment provided by sub-section (2). 
18. Fraudulently inducing to emigrate etc.— Whoever,― 
(a) forges any document required for, or relating to, the emigration of any person, 
or has in his possession or under his control any instrument or article which 
may be used for the purpose of such forgery, or 
(b)  by means of intoxication, coercion, fraud or wilful misrepresentation, causes 
or induces, or attempts to cause or induce, any person to emigrate, or enter into 
any agreement to emigrate, or leave any place with a view to emigrating. 
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years 1[and with 
fine up to two million rupees]. 
19. False representation of Government authority.― Whoever falsely represents that 
any emigrant is required by the Government or is to be engaged on behalfe of the Government, shall 
be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both. 
20. Violation of terms of agreement with foreign employer by emigrant.― Whoever 
violates the terms of the agreement with his foreign employer by abandoning his employment or 
otherwise shall, after his repatriation to Pakistan, be punishable with fine which may extend to ten 
thousand rupees. 
 
1Subs. by Act No. VIII of 2025, s.3. 
 
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21. Certain amount recoverable as arrear of land revenue.― The amount of any 
expenditure incurred by the Federal Government for the repatriation to Pakistan of a person who is 
convicted of an offence punishable under sub-section (1) of section 17, or section 20, and the amount 
payable by any person in pursuance of an agreement or bond or undertaking executed in pursuance 
of this Ordinance or the rules, shall be recoverable from such person as an arrear of land revenue. 
22. Receiving, money, etc., for providing foreign employment.― Whoever, for providing 
or securing, or on the pretext of providing or securing, to or for any person employment in any country 
beyond the limits of Pakistan,― 
(a)  being an Overseas Employment Promoter, charges any fee in addition to the 
prescribed amount, or 
(b)  not being such a Promoter, demands or receives, or attempts to receive, for 
himself or for any other person, any money or other valuable thing. 
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years 1[and with 
fine up to two million rupees]. 
23. Penalty for other offences.—Whoever contravenes, or fails to comply with, any of 
the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules shall, if no other penalty is provided by this Ordinance 
for such contravention or failure, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 
one year and with fine. 
24. Special Courts.―(1) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, set up as many Special Courts as it considers necessary and, where it sets up more than one 
Special Court, shall specify in the notification the headquarters of each Special Court and the territorial 
limits within which it shall exercise jurisdiction under this Ordinance. 
(2) A Special Court shall consist of a person who is or  has been a Sessions Judge or an 
Additional Sessions Judge. 
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V 
of 1898), an offence punishable under this Ordinance shall be tried exclusively by a Special Court. 
(4) The provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), so far as they 
are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, shall apply to the proceedings of a 
Special Court and such Court shall be deemed to be a Court of Session for the purposes of the said 
Code and the provisions of Chapter XXIIA of the Code, so far as applicable and with the necessary 
modifications, shall apply to the trial of cases by a Special Court under this Ordinance, and a person 
conducting prosecution before a Special Court shall be deemed to be a Public Prosecutor. 
(5) For the purposes of sub­section (4), the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 
1898), shall have effect as if an offence punishable under this Ordinance were one of the offences 
referred to in sub­section (1) of section 337 of the Code. 
2[(6) A Special Court shall take cognizance of, and have jurisdiction to try, an offence 
punishable und er this Ordinance only upon a complaint in writing which is accompanied by the 
previous sanction of the Federal Government: 
 
1Subs. by Act No. VIII of 2025, s.4. 
2
Subs. by Act No. VI of 1985, s.4. 
 
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 Provided that, in a case in which the complaint is not accompanied by such sanction, 
the Special Court shall, immediately on its receipt, refer the matter to the Federal Government; 
and, if the required sanction is neither received nor refused within sixty days of the receipt of the 
reference by the Federal Government, such sanction shall be deemed to have been duly accorded.] 
 
1[24A.—Appeal.―(1) A person sentenced by a Special Court may, within forty­five days 
of the order, prefer an appeal to the High Court. 
 
(2)  Where a Special Court has passed an order of acquittal.― 
 
(a)  The Federal Government may direct any of its Law Officers to present an appeal; and 
 
(b)  in the case of a prosecution for any offence punishable under this Ordinance, the 
person in respect of whom the offence is alleged to have been committed may, within 
a period of forty­five days, appeal, to the High Court against the order.] 
 
25. Indemnity.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person 
for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Ordinance or 
any rule. 
     CHAPTER VIII 
VALIDATION, SAVINGS, ETC. 
26. Validation.—Any power or function of the Federal Government, the Director‑General or 
a Protector of Emigrants under the Emigration Act, 1922 (VII of 1922), or the rules made thereunder 
exercised or performed, before the commencement of this Ordinance, by any officer subordinate to 
the Federal Government shall be deemed to have been validly exercised or performed. 
 
27. Savings.—Nothing in this Ordinance shall be deemed to apply to the departure of a 
person— 
 
(i)  who is not a citizen of Pakistan ; 
 
(ii)  who is in the service of Pakistan, or in the service of a local authority or a 
corporation owned or controlled by the Federal Government or a Provincial 
Government and is pro ceeding on duty or for employment with any 
international organization or for training or on leave, with the permission of the 
Federal Government ; 
 
(iii)  who is proceeding under a foreign scholarship or training scheme approved 
by the Federal Government ; 
 
(iv)  who is engaged as crew on board a foreign‑going vessel in accordance with the 
provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1923 (XXI of 1923); 
 
(v)  who is engaged as crew on bo ard a foreign-going aircraft in accordance with 
the provisions of the Civil Aviation Ordinance, 1960 (XXXII of 1960), and the 
rules made thereunder ; 
 
 
1 Ins. by Act No. XI of 1987, s. 2. 
 
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(vi)  who is proceeding abroad for Haj or Ziarat and is certified by the Federal 
Government or an officer authorised by it in this behalf to be so proceeding ; 
 
(vii)  who is a dependent of a citizen of Pakistan who is already settled or employed 
in a foreign country ; or 
 
(viii)  who is already settled or employed in a foreign country and is on a temporary 
visit to Pakistan. 
 
28. 1[Omitted].  
 
 
_______________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
134607          RGN Date: 21.04.2025 
 
1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revi sion and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (XXVII of 1981) s. 3 and Sch. II.