West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960
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THE WEST PAKISTAN MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE, 1960
THE WEST PAKISTAN MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE, 1960 WEST PAKISTAN ORDINANCE NO. XXXI OF 1960 [2nd December, 1960] AN ORDINANCE to amend and consolidate the law relating to preventive detention and control of persons and publications connected with the maintenance of public order in West Pakistan.
Preamble.
1[WHEREAS it is expedient to amend and consolidate the law providing for preventive detention and control of persons and publications for reasons connected with public safety, public interest and the maintenance of public order in the Province of West Pakistan ;]
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Presidential proclamation of the seventh day of October, 1958, and having received the previous instructions of the President, the Governor of West Pakistan is pleased, in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, to make and promulgate the following Ordinance :—
Section 1. Short title and extent
(1) This Ordinance may be called the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.
(2) It extends to the whole of the Province of West Pakistan, except 2[* * *] 3[Tribal Areas].
Section 2. Definitions
In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say—
(a) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898; and
(b) “Government” means the Government of West Pakistan.]
Section 3. Power to arrest and detain suspected persons
(1) Government, if satisfied that with a view to preventing any person from acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order, it is necessary so to do, may, by an order in writing, direct the arrest and detention in such custody as may be prescribed under sub-section (7), of such person for such period as may, subject to the other provisions of this section, be specified in the order, and Government, if satisfied that for the aforesaid reasons it is necessary so to do, may, 1[* * * * *] extend from time to time the period of such detention 1[for a period not exceeding six months at a time.]
1Subs., omitted and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, ss. 2 and 3.
2Omitted by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XXX of 1962.
3Subs., by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order 1964, (I of 1964), s. 2 and Sch.
1[Explanation 1]—For the purposes of this section—
(i) ‘dealing in the black-market’ or ‘hoarding’ as defined in the Hoarding and Black-market Act, 1948 (Act XXIX of 1948); or
(ii) an act of smuggling punishable under the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (Act VIII of 1878), or the Land Customs Act, 1924 (Act XIX of 1924), or under any other law for the time being in force ;
shall be deemed to be an act prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.
1[Explanation II—Whoever is or was a member of an association or its Executive Committee, which association is or has been declared to be unlawful under any law for the time being in force in the province, at any time during the period of seven days immediately before it was so declared to be unlawful, or remains or becomes a member of such an association or is on the Executive Committee thereof after it has been so declared to be unlawful shall be deemed to be acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order for the purposes of this section.]
(2) If a District Magistrate or any other servant of Government authorised in this behalf by a general or special order of Government, has reason to believe that any person within his territorial jurisdiction has acted, is acting or is about to act in a manner prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order, he shall forthwith refer the matter to Government for orders.
(3) (a) An order of arrest under sub-section (1) may be addressed to a Police Officer or any other person and such officer or person shall have the power to arrest the person mentioned in the order and in doing so he may use such force as may be necessary. The Police Officer or the other person, as the case may be, shall commit the arrested person to such custody as may be prescribed under sub- section (7).
(b) A Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector, if satisfied on receipt of credible information that a person against whom an order of arrest or of arrest and detention has been made under this section is present within such officer’s jurisdiction, may arrest him without a warrant in the same manner as he would have done if such order of arrest had been addressed to him 2[,] 2[and thereupon commit the arrested person to such custody as may be prescribed under sub-section (7), or if he receives any requisition in this behalf from the police officer or other person to whom the warrant of arrest for the person arrested is addressed, make over the custody of the arrested person to such police officer or other person.]
(4) On receipt of a reference under sub-section (2) Government may—
(a) reject the reference; or
(b) make an order of arrest and detention in terms of sub-section (1).
1Renumberd and added by West Pakistan Act No. V of 1964, s. 2. 2Replaced and added by West Pakistan Ordinance No.. XVIII of 1964, s. 3.
1[(5) Government shall constitute a Board consisting of a Judge of the High Court of West Pakistan, who shall be nominated by the Chief Justice of that Court, and a senior officer in the Service of Pakistan, who shall be nominated by the Governor of the West Pakistan.
(5-a) No person shall be detained for a period exceeding three months unless the Board has reported, before the expiration of the said period of three months, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention.
(5-b) Where a person is to be detained for a period exceeding three months, Government shall, before the expiration of the said period of three months, refer his case to the Board.
(5-c) A person whose case has been referred to the Board under the provisions of sub-section (5-b), shall not be entitled to appear by any legal practitioner in any matter connected with the case referred to the Board.
(5-d) The Board shall, after considering the material placed before it and the representation, if any, made by the person whose case has been referred to it, hearing such person, if he so desires, and calling for such further information as it may require from Government or may be placed before it by the person detained, submit its report before the expiration of the period of three months specified in sub-section (5-b), to Government whether in its opinion there is sufficient cause for the detention of such person.
(5-e) The proceedings and the report of the Board excepting that part of the report in which the opinion of the Board is specified, shall be confidential.
(5-f) If in any case the Board reports that there is, in its opinion, no sufficient cause for the detention of the person whose case has been referred to it, for a period exceeding three months, Government shall rescind the detention order and direct such person to be released on the expiry of the said period of three months. In case the Board reports that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for the detention of such person, Government may, subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), continue to detain him for such period as it may deem fit.]
(6) Where a detention order has been made under this section the authority making the order shall, as soon as may be, 1[* * * * * * *] communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, inform him that he is at liberty to make a representation to Government against the order and afford him the earliest opportunity of doing so :
Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such authority considers it to be against public interest to disclose.
1Subs. and omitted by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 3.
1[(a) Where a representation is made to Government under sub-section (6), Government may, on consideration of the representation and giving the person detained an opportunity of being heard, modify confirm or rescind the order.]
(7) So long as there is in force in respect of any person an order under this section directing that he be detained, he shall be liable to be detained in such custody and under such conditions as to maintenance, discipline and punishment for offences and breaches of discipline as Government may from time to time prescribe by general or special order.
(8) If Government or a District Magistrate has reason to believe that a person in respect of whom an order of arrest and detention has been passed under this section has absconded or is concealing himself so that such order cannot be executed, Government or the District Magistrate, as the case may be, may—
(a) forward a copy of the order, with a declaration that such person cannot be found, to a Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction in the place where the said person ordinarily resides and thereupon the provisions of sections 87, 88 and 89 of the Code shall apply in respect of the said person and his property as if the order directing that he be arrested and detained were a warrant issued by the Magistrate;
(b) by order notified in the Official Gazette direct the said person to appear before such officer at such place and within such period as may be specified in the order and if the said person fails to comply with such direction he shall, unless he proves that it was not possible for him to comply therewith and that he had within the period specified in the order, informed the officer concerned of the reasons which rendered compliance therewith impossible and of his whereabouts or taken all possible steps to give such information, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with
both.
(9) Government may at any time, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, release a person detained under this section and may require him to enter into a bond, with or without sureties, for the due observance of the conditions.
(10) The District Magistrate or any servant of Government referred to in sub-section (2), may summon and interrogate or cause the summoning and interrogation of any person, including a person arrested or detained under this section, if in his opinion such interrogation is likely to lead to the dis- covey of information which may enable the more effective exercise of powers under this Ordinance, whether in respect of the person interrogated or any other person, and the person interrogated under this sub-section shall be bound to answer truthfully all questions pertaining to the subject of the enquiry.
1Ins. by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 3.
Section 4. Powers of photographing, etc., of suspected persons
(1) Government or other authority making an arrest or directing the arrest of a person under section 3 may by order direct that the arrested person shall—
(a) let himself be photographed ;
(b) allow his finger and thumb-impressions to be taken ; and
(c) furnish specimens of his handwriting and signature.
(2) If any person contravenes any order made under this section, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine or with both.
Section 5. Power to control suspected persons
(1) Government or the District Magistrate, if satisfied with respect to any particular person that with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety 1[, or public interest] or the maintenance of public order, it is necessary so to do, may by order in writing, give any one or more of the following directions, namely, that such person—
(a) shall not enter, reside or remain in any area that may be specified in the order ;
(b) shall reside or remain in any area that may be specified in the order ;
(c) shall remove himself from, and shall not return to, any area that may be specified in the order ;
1[(d) shall conduct himself in such manner or abstain from such acts, as may be specified in the order ; and]
(e) shall enter into a bond, with or without sureties for the due observance of the directions specified in the order.
(2) An order under sub-section (1) made by the District Magistrate shall not, unless Government by special order otherwise directs, remain in force for more than three months from the making thereof.
(3) Government may at any time cancel or vary any order made by the District Magistrate under sub-section (1).
1Ins., and subs by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 4.
(4) An order under clause (a) of sub-section (1) made by Government may specify as the area to which the order relates, the whole Province or any part thereof, and an order made by the District Magistrate may specify as such area the whole district or any part thereof :
Provided that no such order made by Government shall direct the exclusion or removal from the Province of any person ordinarily resident in the Province and no such order made by the District Magistrate shall direct the exclusion or removal from the district of any person ordinarily resident in that district.
(5) Where an order has been made under sub-section (1), the authority making the order shall, as soon as may be 1[* * * * * * *] communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, inform him that he is at liberty to make a representation to Government against the order and afford him the earliest opportunity of doing so :
Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such authority considers it to be against public interest to disclose.
1[(5)-a) Where a representation is made to Government against an order passed under sub-section (1), Government may, on consideration of the representation and after giving the person affected an opportunity of being heard, modify, confirm or rescind the order.
(5-b) No order under clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall have effect for a period exceeding three months unless the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3 has reported, before the expiration of the said period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for the making of such order; and the provisions of sub-sections (5-b), (5-c), (5-d), (5-e) and (5-f) of section 3 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the reference made to the Board in regard to any such order.]
(6) An order made under sub-section (1) shall remain inforce for such period not exceeding two years as may be specified in the order.
Section 6. Power to control publications
(1) Government or any authority authorized by it in this behalf, if satisfied that such action is necessary for the purpose of preventing or combating any activity prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, may, by order in writing addressed to a printer, publisher or editor—
(a) prohibit the printing or publication in any document or class of documents of any matter relating to a particular subject or class of subjects for a specified period, or in a particular issue or issues of a newspaper or periodical ;
(b) require that any matter be published in any particular issue or issues of a newspaper or periodical, and may while doing so specify the period during which and the manner in which such publication shall take place ;
(c) require that any matter relating to a particular subject or class of subjects shall before publication be submitted for scrutiny ;
1Omitted and ins. by West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 4.
(d) prohibit for a specified period the publication of any newspaper, periodical, leaflet, or other publication, or the use of any press ;
(e) require that the name and address of any person concerned in the supply or communication of any news, report or information be furnished to such authority as may be specified in the order ;
(f) require that any document connected with the news, report or information referred to in clause (e) be delivered to such authority as may be specified in the order :
Provided that when an order is made under clause (a), (c) or (d)—
(i) no such order shall remain in force for more than two months from the making thereof;
(ii) 1[* * * * * * *]
(2) Where an order has been made under sub-section (1), the authority making the order shall, as soon as may be, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, inform him that he is at liberty to make a representation against the order to Government and afford him the earliest opportunity of doing so:
Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such authority considers it to be against public interest to disclose.
1[(2-a) Where a representation is made to Government against an order passed under sub-section (1), Government may on consideration of the representation and giving the person affected an opportunity of being heard, modify, confirm or rescind the order.]
(3) In the event of disobedience of an order under this section Government or the authority issuing the order may, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the person guilty of the disobedience is liable, order the seizure of all copies of any publication concerned and of any printing press or other instrument or apparatus used in the production of the publication 1[:]
1[Provided that no such order of seizure shall be passed without giving the printer, publisher or editor affected an opportunity of showing cause against the proposed order.]
Section 7. Power to prohibit entry into West Pakistan of newspapers, etc
(1) Government or any authority authorized by it in this behalf, if satisfied that such action is necessary for the purpose of preventing or combating any activity pre-judicial to the maintenance of public order, may, by notification, prohibit for a specified period the bringing into West Pakistan or any part thereof of any newspaper, periodical, leaflet or other publication :
1Omitted, ins, replaced and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 5.
Provided that no such order shall remain in force for more than two months from the making thereof:
Provided further that the person against whom an order has been made may within ten days of the passing of the order make a representation to Government or the authority aforesaid which may on consideration thereof modify, confirm or rescind the order.
(2) In the event of disobedience of an order under this section, Government or the authority issuing the order may, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the person guilty of the disobedience is liable, order the seizure of all copies of any newspaper, periodical, leaflet or other publication concerned 1[:]
1[Provided that no such order of seizure shall be passed without giving the person affected an opportunity of showing cause against the order.]
Section 8. Power to secure reports of public meetings
(1) The District Magistrate may, by order in writing depute one or more Police Officers not below the rank of head constable, or other persons to attend any public meeting for the purpose of causing a report to be made of the proceedings.
(2) Any such order shall operate as a direction to the persons responsible for the convening or the conduct of the meeting to admit free of charge the persons so deputed.
Explanation—For the purpose of this section a public meeting is any meeting which is open to the public or to any class or portion of the public, and a meeting may be a public meeting notwithstanding that it is held in a private place and notwithstanding that admission thereto is restricted by ticket or otherwise.
Section 9. Service of orders in writing
(1) Where under the provisions of this Ordinance any power is to be exercised or any order or direction given by order in writing, then that order in writing—
(a) if it is an order addressed to any servant of Government or authorising any servant of Government to take any action, shall be given in original or by a copy to the servant of Government concerned and shall be his authority for the doing of all things which he is required or enabled to do under the order ;
(b) if it is an order made in respect of or addressed to any person not being a servant of Pakistan, may be served in original or by a copy of the order on the person in respect of whom it is made or to whom it is addressed in the manner provided in the Code for the service of a summons ;
(c) if it is an order addressed to the public generally, may be served by publication in such manner as the authority making the order considers best adapted for informing the persons concerned.
1Replaced and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 6.
(2) Any person on whom an order is served as provided in clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section
(1) shall be deemed to have had notice of such order, and where the person to be served is a corporation, company, bank or association of persons the order may be served on any secretary, director or other officer or person concerned with the management thereof, or by leaving it at, or sending it addressed to the corporation, company, bank or association by post to, its registered office, or where there is no registered office, at or to the place where it carries on business.
(3) Where a provision of this Ordinance empowers an authority, officer or person to take action by notified order, the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2) shall not apply in relation to such order, and all persons whom the order concerns shall, upon its notification, be deemed to have been duly informed of it.
Section 10. Power to issue search warrants
The power to issue search warrants conferred by section 98 of the Code shall be deemed to include the power to issue warrants for—
(a) the search of any place in which any magistrate mentioned in that section has reason to believe that any offence under this Ordinance or any act prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order has been, is being or is about to be committed, or that preparation for the commission of any such offence or act is being made ;
(b) the seizure in or on any place searched under clause (a) of anything which the officer executing the warrant has reason to believe is being used or is intended to be used for any purpose mentioned in that clause ;
and the provisions of the Code shall, so far as may be, apply to searches, made under the authority of any warrant issued and to the disposal of any property seized under this section.
Section 11. General power of search
Any authority on which any power is conferred by or under this Ordinance may by general or special order authorise any person to enter and search any place the search of which such authority has reason to believe to be necessary for the purpose of—
(a) ascertaining whether it is necessary or expedient to exercise such power ; or
(b) ascertaining whether any order given, direction made, or condition prescribed in the exercise of such power has been duly complied with ; or
(c) generally giving effect to such power or securing compliance with or giving effect to any order given, direction made or conditions prescribed in the exercise of such
power.
Section 12. Power to give effect to orders, etc
(1) Any authority, officer or person who is empowered by or in pursuance of this Ordinance to make any order, or to exercise any other power may, in addition to any other action prescribed by or under this Ordinance, take, or cause to be taken, such steps and use, or cause to be used, such force as may, in the opinion of such authority, officer or person, be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with, or for preventing or rectifying any contravention of, such order, or for the effective exercise of such power.
(2) Where in respect of any of the provisions of this Ordinance there is no authority, officer or person empowered, to take action prescribed by or under this Ordinance, Government may take or
cause to be taken such steps and use, or cause to be used, such force as may in the opinion of Government be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with or for preventing or rectifying any breach of such provision.
(3) The power to take steps under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) includes the power to enter upon any land or other property whatsoever.
Section 13. Penalty
Whoever contravenes any provision of this Ordinance or disobeys or neglects to comply with any order made or direction given in accordance with its provisions shall, where no express provision is made by this Ordinance for the punishment of such contravention, disobedience, or negligence, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with
both.
Section 14. Abetment of offences
Whoever abets the commission of an offence punishable under this Ordinance shall, whether the act abetted is or is not committed in consequence of the abetment, be punished with the punishment provided for the offence.
Section 15. Offence committed by corporation or association
Where the person committing an offence punishable under this Ordinance is a corporation, company, bank or association of persons, any secretary, director or other officer or person concerned with the management thereof shall be punished with the punishment provided for the offence unless he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or consent.
Section 16. Dissemination of rumours, etc
Whoever—
(a) makes any speech, or
(b) by words whether spoken or written or by signs or by visible or audible representations or otherwise publishes any statement, rumour or report,
Shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both if such speech, statement, rumour, or report—
(i) causes or is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public ;
(ii) furthers or is likely to further any activity prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order.
Section 17. Possession or conveyance of prescribed or prohibited documents
(1) Whoever, without lawful authority—
(a) has in his possession, or on premises in his occupation or under his control, or
(b) carries for delivery to another person otherwise than through the post,
any document in respect of which a notification under section 7 is in force, or of which the importation has been prohibited under the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (VIII of 1878), or in respect of which an order of forfeiture has been made under any law for the time being in force or any document prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order shall, unless he proves that he was unaware of the nature of the document, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
(2) Whoever allows his name or address to be used to facilitate transmission through the post or otherwise to any person other than the person for whom it purports to be intended of any document of the nature referred to in sub-section (1) shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Section 18. Wearing or display of uniforms or emblems
Whoever makes or has in his possession or wears, carries or displays any uniform, flag, banner or emblem signifying, or which has been declared by Government by notification to signify association with a movement prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order or with the promotion of any activity prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both, and any such uniform, flag, banner or emblem wherever found shall be forfeited to Government.
Section 19. Tampering with public servants
Whoever induces or attempts to induce any public servant or any servant of local authority to disregard or fail in his duties as such servant shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Section 20. Sabotage
(1) No person shall do any act with intent to impair the efficiency or impede the working of or to cause damage to—
(a) any building, vehicle, machinery, apparatus or other property used, or intended to be used, for the purposes of Government or any local authority ;
(b) any railway (as defined in the Railways Act, 1890 (Act X of 1890), tramway, road, canal, bridge, culvert, causeway, aerodrome or any telegraph, telegraph line or post (as defined in the Telegraph Act, 1885 (Act XIII of 1885) ;
(c) any rolling-stock of a railway or tramway, or any aircraft ;
(d) any building or other property used in connection with the production, distribution or supply of any essential commodity, any sewage works, mine or factory.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall apply in relation to any omission on the part of a person to do anything which he is under a duty, either to Government or to any public authority or to any person, to do, as they apply to the doing of any act by a person.
(3) If any person approaches or is in the neighbourhood of any such building, place or property as is mentioned in sub-section (1) in circumstances which afford reason to believe that he intends to contravene that sub-section, he shall be deemed to have attempted a contravention thereof.
(4) If any person contravenes or attempts to contravene any of the provisions of this section, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with
both.
[1] Section 20A. Representation against certain orders
(1) Where a representation is received under sub-section (5) of section 5 against an order under clause (a), clause (c), clause (d) or clause (e) of sub- section (1) of section 5, Government shall, if the order represented against is not rescinded or cancelled and the order is to have effect for a period exceeding three months, forward the case, including the representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3.
(2) Where a representation is made to Government under the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 6 or sub-section (2) of section 7, Government shall, be as soon as may be, forward the case, including the representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3.
(3) The Board shall, after considering the representation and such further information or material as may be placed before it by Government or the person making the representation, and giving such person an opportunity of being heard, submit its report together with its recommendations to Government.
(4) If the Board reports that the order against which the representation is made is unjustified, the Government shall vacate the order.]
Section 21. Procedure for trial of offences
(1) In any area, the Government may by notification direct that all the offences under this Ordinance, shall, notwithstanding anything in the Code, be tried in accordance with the procedure prescribed for the trial of summons cases by Chapter XX of the Code, subject in the case of summary trials to the provisions of sections 263 to 265 of the Code.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall apply to the trial of offences mentioned therein committed before the notification aforesaid.
Section 22. Offence under Ordinance to be cognizable and non-bailable
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code every offence punishable under this Ordinance shall be cognizable and non- bailable.
Section 23. Jurisdiction barred
Except as provided in this Ordinance no proceeding or order taken or made under this Ordinance shall be called in question in any court and no civil or criminal proceeding shall be instituted against any person for anything in good faith done or intended to be done under this Ordinance.
Section 24. Effect of orders, etc., inconsistent with other enactments
Any order made, and any other action taken, under this Ordinance shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any enactment other than this Ordinance or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any enactment other than this Ordinance.
Section 25. Operation of other penal laws not barred
Nothing contained in this Ordinance shall be deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any act or omission which constitutes an offence punishable under this Ordinance.
Section 26. Delegation of power to Deputy Commissioners
Government may, by order in writing, direct that the power under sub-section (1) of section 3 shall, subject to such restrictions as may be specified, be exercisable by any District Magistrate within his jurisdiction.
IIns. by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 7.
Section 27. Power to make rules
Government may make rules not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to carry into effect the purpose thereof.
Section 28. Repeal and saving
(1) (a) Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 17, 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30 of the Baluchistan Public Safety Regulation, 1947, and sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 17, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30 of the Baluchistan States Union Public Safety Regulation are hereby repealed.
(b) The following Acts are hereby repealed :—
(i) the Bahawalpur State Public Security Act, 1944,
(ii) the North-West Frontier Province Public Safety Act, 1948 (N. W. F. P.
III of 1948),
(iii) the Punjab Public Safety Act, 1949 (Punjab XVIII of 1949), 1[*]
(iv) the Khairpur Pubic Order and Detention Khairpur Act, 1954 (Khairpur XI of 1954) 1[,and] 1[(v) the Sind State Prisoners Regulation, 1827 (Sind Regulation XXV of 1827).]
(2) All such orders (whether notified or not) made and directions issued under the enactments repealed under sub-section (1) as were in force immediately before the commencement of this Ordinance shall, so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance continue in force and shall be deemed to have been made and issued under this Ordinance.
________
156022
Date: 08-01-2025 1Omitted, replaced and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. IX of 1963, s. 2.
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CONTENTS Preamble 1. Short title and extent 2. Definitions 3. Power to arrest and detain suspected persons 4. Powers of photographing, etc., of suspected persons 5. Power to control suspected persons 6. Power to control publications 7. Power to prohibit entry into West Pakistan of newspapers, etc. 8. Power to secure reports of public meetings 9. Service of orders in writing 10. Power to issue search warrants 11. General power of search 12. Power to give effect to orders, etc. 13. Penalty 14. Abetment of offences 15. Offence committed by corporation or association 16. Dissemination of rumours, etc. 17. Possession or conveyance of prescribed or prohibited documents 18. Wearing or display of uniforms or emblems Page 2 of 15 19. Tampering with public servants 20. Sabotage 20-A. Representation against certain orders 21. Procedure for trial of offences 22. Offence under Ordinance to be cognizable and non-bailable 23. Jurisdiction barred 24. Effect of orders, etc., inconsistent with other enactments 25. Operation of other penal laws not barred 26. Delegation of power to Deputy Commissioners 27. Power to make rules 28. Repeal and saving
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Page 1 of 15
THE WEST PAKISTAN MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER
ORDINANCE, 1960
CONTENTS
Preamble
1. Short title and extent
2. Definitions
3. Power to arrest and detain suspected persons
4. Powers of photographing, etc., of suspected persons
5. Power to control suspected persons
6. Power to control publications
7. Power to prohibit entry into West Pakistan of newspapers, etc.
8. Power to secure reports of public meetings
9. Service of orders in writing
10. Power to issue search warrants
11. General power of search
12. Power to give effect to orders, etc.
13. Penalty
14. Abetment of offences
15. Offence committed by corporation or association
16. Dissemination of rumours, etc.
17. Possession or conveyance of prescribed or prohibited documents
18. Wearing or display of uniforms or emblems
Page 2 of 15
19. Tampering with public servants
20. Sabotage
20-A. Representation against certain orders
21. Procedure for trial of offences
22. Offence under Ordinance to be cognizable and non-bailable
23. Jurisdiction barred
24. Effect of orders, etc., inconsistent with other enactments
25. Operation of other penal laws not barred
26. Delegation of power to Deputy Commissioners
27. Power to make rules
28. Repeal and saving
Page 3 of 15
THE WEST PAKISTAN MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE,
1960
WEST PAKISTAN ORDINANCE NO. XXXI OF 1960
[2nd December, 1960]
AN
ORDINANCE
to amend and consolidate the law relating to preventive detention and control of persons and
publications connected with the maintenance of public order in West Pakistan.
Preamble.
1[WHEREAS it is expedient to amend and consolidate the law providing for preventive
detention and control of persons and publications for reasons connected with public safety, public
interest and the maintenance of public order in the Province of West Pakistan ;]
NOW, THEREFORE, in pur suance of the Presidential p roclamation of the seventh day of
October, 1958, and having received the previous instructio ns of the President, the Gover nor of West
Pakistan is pleased, in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, to make and promulgate the
following Ordinance :—
1. Short title and extent. (1) This Ordinance may be called the West Pakistan Maintenance of
Public Order Ordinance, 1960.
(2) It extends to the whole of the Province of West Pakistan, except 2[* * *] 3[Tribal Areas].
2. Definitions. In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise re quires, the following
expressions shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say—
(a) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898; and
(b) “Government” means the Government of West Pakistan.]
3. Power to arrest and detain suspected persons. (1) Government, if sat isfied that with a
view to pre venting any person from acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety or the
maintenance of public order, it is necessary so to do, may, by an order in writing, direct the arrest and
detention in such custody as may be prescribed under sub-section (7), of such person for such period
as may, subject to the other provisions of this section, be specified in the order, and Government, if
satisfied that for the aforesaid reasons it is necessary so to do, may, 1[* * * * *] extend from time to
time the period of such detention 1[for a period not exceeding six months at a time.]
1Subs., omitted and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, ss. 2 and 3.
2Omitted by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XXX of 1962.
3Subs., by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order 1964, (I of 1964), s. 2 and Sch.
Page 4 of 15
1[Explanation 1]—For the purposes of this section—
(i) ‘dealing in the black -market’ or ‘hoarding’ as defined in the Hoarding and
Black-market Act, 1948 (Act XXIX of 1948); or
(ii) an act of smuggling punishable under the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (Act VIII of
1878), or the Land Customs Act, 1924 (Act XIX of 1924) , or under any other
law for the time being in force ;
shall be deemed to be an act prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.
1[Explanation II—Whoever is or was a member of an association or its Executive Committee,
which association is or has been declared to be unlawful under any law for the time being in force in
the province, at any time during the period of seven days immediately before it was so declared to be
unlawful, or remains or becomes a member of such an association or is on the Executive Committee
thereof after it has been so declared to be unlawful shall be deemed to be acting in a manner prejudicial
to public safety and maintenance of public order for the purposes of this section.]
(2) If a District Magistr ate or any other servant of Gov ernment authorised in this behalf by a
general or speci al order of Government , has reason to believe that any person within his territorial
jurisdiction has acted, is acting or is about to act in a manner prejudicial to public safety or the
maintenance of public order, he shall forthwith refer the matter to Government for orders.
(3) (a) An order of arrest under sub -section (1) may be addressed to a Police O fficer or any
other person and such officer or person shall have the power to arrest the person mentioned in the order
and in doing so he may use such force as may be necessary. The Police Officer or the other person, as
the case may be, shall commit the arrested person to such custody as may be prescribed under sub -
section (7).
(b) A Police O fficer not below the rank of Sub -Inspector, if satisfied on receipt of credible
information that a person against whom an order of arrest or of arrest and detention has been made
under this section is present within such officer’s jurisdiction, may arrest him without a warrant in the
same manner as he would have done if such order of arrest had been addressed to him 2[,] 2[and
thereupon commit the arrested person to such custody as may be prescribed under sub -section (7), or
if he receives any requisition in this behalf from the police officer or other person to whom the warrant
of arrest for the person arrested is addressed, make over the custody of the arrested person to such
police officer or other person.]
(4) On receipt of a reference under sub-section (2) Government may—
(a) reject the reference; or
(b) make an order of arrest and detention in terms of sub-section (1).
1Renumberd and added by West Pakistan Act No. V of 1964, s. 2.
2Replaced and added by West Pakistan Ordinance No.. XVIII of 1964, s. 3.
Page 5 of 15
1[(5) Government shall cons titute a Board consisting of a Judge of the High Court of West
Pakistan, who shall be nominated by the Chief Justice of that Court, and a senior officer in the Service
of Pakistan, who shall be nominated by the Governor of the West Pakistan.
(5-a) No person shall be detained for a period exceeding three months unl ess the Board has
reported, before the expiration of the said period of three months, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient
cause for such detention.
(5-b) Where a person is to be detained for a period exceeding three months, Government shall,
before the expiration of the said period of three months, refer his case to the Board.
(5-c) A person whose case has been referred to the Board under the provisions of sub-section
(5-b), shall not be entitled to appear by any legal practitioner in any matter connected with the case
referred to the Board.
(5-d) The Board shall, after considering the material placed before it and the representation, if
any, made by the person whose case has been referred to it, hearing su ch person, if he so desires, and
calling for such further information as it may require from Government or may be placed before it by
the person detained, submit its report before the expiration of the period of three months specified in
sub-section (5-b), to Government whether in its opini on there is sufficient cause for the detention of
such person.
(5-e) The proceedings and the report of the Board excepting that part of the report in which the
opinion of the Board is specified, shall be confidential.
(5-f) If in any case the Board reports that there is, in its opinion, no sufficient cause for the
detention of the person whose case has been referred to it, for a period exceeding three months,
Government shall rescind the detention order and direct such person to be released on the expiry of the
said period of three months. In case the Board reports that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for
the detention of such person, Government may, subject to the provisio ns of sub-section (1), continue
to detain him for such period as it may deem fit.]
(6) Where a detention order has been made under this section the authority making the order
shall, as soon as may be, 1[* * * * * * * ] communicate to such person the grounds on which the
order has been made, inform him that he is at liberty to make a representation to Government against
the order and afford him the earliest opportunity of doing so :
Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such
authority considers it to be against public interest to disclose.
1Subs. and omitted by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 3.
Page 6 of 15
1[(a) Where a representation is made to Government under sub-section (6), Government may,
on consideration of the representation and givin g the person detained an oppor tunity of being heard,
modify confirm or rescind the order.]
(7) So long as there is in force in respect of any person an order under this section directing that
he be detained, he shall be liable to be detained in such custody and under such conditions as to
maintenance, discipline and punishment for off ences and breaches of discipline as Government may
from time to time prescribe by general or special order.
(8) If Government or a District Magistrate has reason to believe that a person in respect of whom
an order of arrest and detention has be en passed under this section has absconded or is concealing
himself so that such order cannot be executed, Government or the District Magistrate, as the case may
be, may—
(a) forward a copy of the order, with a declaration that such person cannot be found,
to a Magistrate of the first class having jurisdiction in the place where the said
person ordinarily resides and thereupon the provisions of sections 87, 88 and 89
of the Code shall apply in respect of the said person and his property as if the
order directing that he be arrested and detained were a w arrant issued by the
Magistrate;
(b) by order notified in the O fficial Gazette direct the said person to appear before
such officer at such place and within such period as may be specified in the order
and if the said person fails to comply with such direction he shall, unless he
proves that it was not possible for him to comply therewith and that he had within
the period specified in the order, informed the officer concerned of the reasons
which rendered compliance therewith impossible and of his whereabouts or
taken all possible steps to gi ve such information, be punish able with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to thre e years, or with fine, or with
both.
(9) Government may at any time, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, release
a person detained under this section and may require him to enter into a bond, with or without sureties,
for the due observance of the conditions.
(10) The District Magistrate or any servant of Government referred to in sub-section (2), may
summon and interrogate or cause the summoning and interrogation of any person, including a person
arrested or detained under this section, if in his opinion such interrogation is likely to lead to the dis -
covey of information which may enable the more effective exercise of powers under this Ordinance ,
whether in respect of the person interrogated or any other per son, and the person interrogated under
this sub -section shall be bound to answer truthfully all questions pertaining to the subject of the
enquiry.
1Ins. by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 3.
Page 7 of 15
4. Powers of photographing, etc. , of suspected persons. (1) Government or other authority
making an arrest or directing the arrest of a person under section 3 may by order direct that the arrested
person shall—
(a) let himself be photographed ;
(b) allow his finger and thumb-impressions to be taken ; and
(c) furnish specimens of his handwriting and signature.
(2) If any person contravenes any order made under this section, he shall be punished with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine or with both.
5. Power to control suspected persons. (1) Government or the District Magistrate, if satisfied
with respect to any particular person that with a view to pre venting him from acting in any manne r
prejudicial to public safety 1[, or public interest] or the maintenance of public order, it is necessary so
to do, may by order in writing, give any one or more of the following directions, namely, that such
person—
(a) shall not enter, reside or remain in any area that may be specified in the order ;
(b) shall reside or remain in any area that may be specified in the order ;
(c) shall remove himself from, and shall not return to, any area that may be specified
in the order ;
1[(d) shall conduct himself in such manner or abstain from such acts, as may be
specified in the order ; and]
(e) shall enter into a bond, with or without sureties for the due observance of the
directions specified in the order.
(2) An order under sub -section (1) made by the District Magistrate shall not, unless
Government by special order otherwise directs, remain in force for more than three months from the
making thereof.
(3) Government may at any time cancel or vary any order made by the District Magistrate under
sub-section (1).
1Ins., and subs by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 4.
Page 8 of 15
(4) An order under clause (a) of sub-section (1) made by Government may specify as the area to
which the order relates, the whole P rovince or any part thereof, and an order made by the District
Magistrate may specify as such area the whole district or any part thereof :
Provided that no such order made by Government shall direct the exclusion or removal from the
Province of any person ordi narily resident in the P rovince and no such order made by the District
Magistrate shall direct the exclusion or removal from the district of any person ordinarily resident in
that district.
(5) Where an order has been made under sub-section (1), the authority making the order shall, as
soon as may be 1[* * * * * * *] communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been
made, inform him that he is at liberty to make a representation to Government against the order and
afford him the earliest opportunity of doing so :
Provided that the authority making any such or der may refuse to disclose facts which such
authority considers it to be against public interest to disclose.
1[(5)-a) Where a representation is made to Government against an order passed under sub -section
(1), Government may, on consideration of the representation and after giving the person affected an
opportunity of being heard, modify, confirm or rescind the order.
(5-b) No order under clause ( b) of sub-section (1) shall have effect for a period exceeding three
months u nless the Board constituted under sub -section (5) of section 3 has re ported, before the
expiration of the said period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for the making of such order;
and the provisions of sub -sections (5-b), (5 -c), (5 -d), (5 -e) and ( 5-f) of section 3 shall, mutatis
mutandis, apply to the reference made to the Board in regard to any such order.]
(6) An order made under sub-section (1) shall remain inforce for such period not exceeding two
years as may be specified in the order.
6. Power to control publications. (1) Government or any authority authorized by it in this
behalf, if satisfied that such action is necessary for the purpose of preventing or combating any activity
prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, may, by order in writing addressed to a printer, publisher
or editor—
(a) prohibit the printing or publication in any document or class of documents of
any matter relating to a particular subject or class of subjects for a specified
period, or in a particular issue or issues of a newspaper or periodical ;
(b) require that any ma tter be published in any parti cular issue or issues of a
newspaper or periodical, and may while doing so specify the period during
which and the manner in which such publication shall take place ;
(c) require that any matter relating to a particular subject or class of subjects shall
before publication be submitted for scrutiny ;
1Omitted and ins. by West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 4.
Page 9 of 15
(d) prohibit for a specified period the publication of any newspaper, perio dical,
leaflet, or other publication, or the use of any press ;
(e) require that the name and address of any person concerned in the supply or
communication of any news, report or information be furnished to such
authority as may be specified in the order ;
(f) require that any document connected with the news, report or information
referred to in clause (e) be delivered to such authority as may be specified in
the order :
Provided that when an order is made under clause (a), (c) or (d)—
(i) no such order shall remain in force for more than two months from the making
thereof;
(ii) 1[* * * * * * *]
(2) Where an order has been made under sub -section (1), the authority making the order shall,
as soon as may be, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, inform
him that he is at liberty to make a representation against the order to Government and afford him the
earliest opportunity of doing so:
Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such
authority considers it to be against public interest to disclose.
1[(2-a) Where a representation is made to Government against an order passed under sub-section
(1), Government may on considerati on of the representation and giving the person affected an
opportunity of being heard, modify, confirm or rescind the order.]
(3) In the event of disobedience of an order under this section Government or the authority
issuing the order may, with out prejudice to any other penalty to which the person guilty of the
disobedience is liable, order the seizure of all copies of any publication concerned and of any printing
press or other instrument or apparatus used in the production of the publication 1[:]
1[Provided that no such order of seizure shall be passed without giving the printer, publisher or
editor affected an opportunity of showing cause against the proposed order.]
7. Power to prohibit entry into West Pakistan of newspape rs, etc. (1) Government or any
authority authorized by it in this behalf, if satisfied that such action is necessary for the purpose of
preventing or combating any activity pre -judicial to the maintenanc e of public order, may, by
notification, prohibit for a specified period the bringing into West Pakistan or any part thereof of any
newspaper, periodical, leaflet or other publication :
1Omitted, ins, replaced and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 5.
Page 10 of 15
Provided that no such order shall remain in force for more than two months from the making
thereof:
Provided further that the person against whom an order has been made may within ten days of
the passing of the order make a representation to Government or the authority aforesaid which may on
consideration thereof modify, confirm or rescind the order.
(2) In the event of disobedience of an order under this section, Government or the authority
issuing the order may, wi thout prejudice to any other penalty to which the person guilty of the
disobedience is liable, order the seizure of all copies of any newspaper, periodical, leaflet or other
publication concerned 1[:]
1[Provided that no such order of seizure shall be passed without giving the person affected an
opportunity of showing cause against the order.]
8. Power to secure reports of public meetings. (1) The District Magistrate may, by order in
writing depute one or more Police O fficers not below the rank of head constable, or other persons to
attend any public meeting for the purpose of causing a report to be made of the proceedings.
(2) Any such order shall operate as a direction to the persons responsible for the convening or the
conduct of the meeting to admit free of charge the persons so deputed.
Explanation—For the purpose of this section a public meeting is any meeting which is open to
the public or to any class or por tion of the public, and a meeting may be a public meeting
notwithstanding that it is held in a private place and notwithstanding that admission thereto is restricted
by ticket or otherwise.
9. Service of orders in writing. (1) Where under the provisions of this Ordinance any power is
to be exercised or any order or direction given by order in writing, then that order in writing—
(a) if it is an order addre ssed to any servant of Gov ernment or authorising any
servant of Government to take any action, shall be given in original or by a copy
to the servant of Government concerned and shall be his authority for the doing
of all things which he is required or enabled to do under the order ;
(b) if it is an order made in respect of or addressed to any person not being a servant
of Pakistan, may be served in original or by a copy of the order on the person in
respect of whom it is made or to whom it is address ed in the manner provided
in the Code for the service of a summons ;
(c) if it is an order addressed to the public generally, may be served by publication
in such manner as the authority making the order considers best a dapted for
informing the persons concerned.
1Replaced and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 6.
Page 11 of 15
(2) Any person on whom an order is served as provided in clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section
(1) shall be deemed to have had notice of such order, and where the person to be served is a corporation,
company, bank or association of persons the order may be served on any secretary, director or other
officer or person concerned with the management thereof, or by leaving it at, or sending it addressed
to the corporation, company, bank or association by post to, its registered office, or where there is no
registered office, at or to the place where it carries on business.
(3) Where a provision of this Ordinance empowers an authority, officer or person to take action
by notified order, the provisions of sub -sections (1) and (2) shall not apply in relation to such order,
and all persons whom the order con cerns shall, upon its notification, be deemed to have b een duly
informed of it.
10. Power to issue search warrants. The power to issue search warrants conferred by section
98 of the Code shall be deemed to include the power to issue warrants for—
(a) the search of any place in which any magistrate mentioned in that section has
reason to believe that any offence under this Ordinance or any act prejudicial to
public safety or the maintenance of public order has been, is being or is about
to be committed, or that preparation for the commission of any such offence or
act is being made ;
(b) the seizure in or on any place searched under clause (a) of anything which the
officer executing the warrant has reason to believe is being used or is intended
to be used for any purpose mentioned in that clause ;
and the provisions of the Code shall, so far as may be, apply to searches, made under the authority of
any warrant issued and to the disposal of any property seized under this section.
11. General power of search. Any authority on which any power is conferred by or under this
Ordinance may by general or special order authoris e any person to enter and search any place the
search of which such authority has reason to believe to be necessary for the purpose of—
(a) ascertaining whether it is necessary or expedient to exercise such power ; or
(b) ascertaining whether any order given, direction made, or condition prescribed in
the exercise of such power has been duly complied with ; or
(c) generally giving effect to such power or securing compliance with or giving effect
to any order given, direction made or conditions prescribed in the exercise of such
power.
12. Power to give effect to orders, etc. (1) Any authority, officer or person who is empowered
by or in pursuance of this Ordinance to make any order, or to exercise any other power may, in addition
to any other action prescribed by or under this Ordinance, t ake, or cause to be taken, such steps and
use, or cause to be used, such force as may, in the opinion of such authority, officer or person, be
reasonably necessary for securing compliance with, or for preventing or rectifying any contravention
of, such order, or for the effective exercise of such power.
(2) Where in respect of any of the provisions of this Ordinance there is no authori ty, officer or
person empowered, to take action prescribed b y or under this Ordinance, Gov ernment may take or
Page 12 of 15
cause to be taken such steps and use, or cause to be used, such force as may in the opinion of
Government be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with or for preventing or rectifying any
breach of such provision.
(3) The power to take steps under sub -section (1) or sub-section (2) includes the power to enter
upon any land or other property whatsoever.
13. Penalty. Whoever contravenes any provision of this Ordi nance or disobeys or neglects to
comply with any order made or direction given in accordance with its provisions shall, where no
express provision is made by this Ordinance for the punishment of such contrav ention, disobedience,
or negligence, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years , or with fine, or with
both.
14. Abetment of offences. Whoever abets the commission of an offence punishable under this
Ordinance shall, whether the act abetted is or is not committed in consequence of the abetment, be
punished with the punishment provided for the offence.
15. Offence committed by corporation or association. Where the person committing an offence
punishable under this Ordinance is a corporation, company, bank or association of persons, any
secretary, director or other officer or person concerned with the management thereof shall be punished
with the punishment provided for the offence unless he proves that the offence was committed without
his knowledge or consent.
16. Dissemination of rumours, etc. Whoever—
(a) makes any speech, or
(b) by words whether spoken or written or by signs or by visible or au dible
representations or otherwise publishes any statement, rumour or report,
Shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both if such
speech, statement, rumour, or report—
(i) causes or is likely to cause fear or alarm to the pu blic or to any section of the
public ;
(ii) furthers or is like ly to further any activity pre judicial to public safety or the
maintenance of public order.
17. Possession or conveyance of pres cribed or prohibited documents. (1) Whoever, without
lawful authority—
(a) has in his possession, or on premises in his occupation or under his control, or
(b) carries for delivery to another person otherwise than through the post,
Page 13 of 15
any document in respect of which a notification under section 7 is in force, or of which the importation
has been prohibited under the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (VIII of 1878), or in respect of which an order
of forfeiture has been made under any law for the time being in force or any document prejudicial to
public safety or the maintenance of public order shall, unless he proves that he was unaware of the
nature of the document, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine,
or with both.
(2) Whoever allows his name or address to be used to facilitate transmission through the post or
otherwise to any person other than the person for whom it purports to be intended of any document of
the nature referred to in sub-section (1) shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one
year, or with fine, or with both.
18. Wearing or display of uniforms or emblems. Whoever makes or has in his possession or
wears, carries or displays any uniform, flag, banner or emblem signifying, or which has been declared
by Government by notification to signify association with a movement prejudicial to public safety or
the maintenance of public order or with the promo tion of any activity prejudicia l to public safety or
the maintenance of public order shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year,
or with fine, or with both, and any such uniform, flag, banner or emblem wherever found shall be
forfeited to Government.
19. Tampering with public servants. Whoever induces or attempts to induce any public servant
or any servant of local authority to disregard or fail in his duties as such servant shall be punished with
imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
20. Sabotage. (1) No person shall do any act with intent to impair the efficiency or impede the
working of or to cause damage to—
(a) any building, vehicle, machinery, apparatus or other property used, or intended
to be used, for the purposes of Government or any local authority ;
(b) any railway (as defined in the Railways Act, 1890 (Act X of 1890 ), tramway,
road, canal, bridge, culvert, causeway, aerodrome or any telegraph, telegraph line
or post (as defined in the Telegraph Act, 1885 (Act XIII of 1885) ;
(c) any rolling-stock of a railway or tramway, or any aircraft ;
(d) any building or other property used in connection with the production, distribution
or supply of any essential commodity, any sewage works, mine or factory.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall apply in relation to any omission on the part of a person
to do anything which he is under a duty, either to Government or to any public authority or to any
person, to do, as they apply to the doing of any act by a person.
(3) If any person approaches or is in the neighbourhood of any such building, place or property as
is mentioned i n sub-section (1) in circumstan ces which afford reason to believe that he intends to
contravene that sub-section, he shall be deemed to have attempted a contravention thereof.
(4) If any person contravenes or attempts to contravene any of the provisions of this section, he
shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with
both.
Page 14 of 15
1[20-A. Representation against certain orders. (1) Where a representation is received under
sub-section (5) of section 5 against an order under clause (a), clause (c), clause (d) or clause (e) of sub-
section (1) of section 5, Government shall, if the order represented against is not rescinded or cancelled
and the order is to have effect for a period exceeding three months, forward the case, including the
representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3.
(2) Where a representation is made to Government under the provisions of sub -section (3) of
section 6 or sub -section (2) of section 7, Government shall , be as soon as may be, for ward the case,
including the representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3.
(3) The Board shall, after considering the representation and such further information or material
as may be placed before it by Government or the person making the represen tation, and giving such
person an opportunity of being heard, submit its report together with its r ecommendations to
Government.
(4) If the Board reports that the order against which the representation is made is unjustified, the
Government shall vacate the order.]
21. Procedure for trial of offences. (1) In any area , the Government may by notification direct
that all the offences un der this Ordinance, shall, not withstanding anything in the Code, be tried in
accordance with the procedure prescribed for the trial of summons cases by Chapter XX of the Code,
subject in the case of summary trials to the provisions of sections 263 to 265 of the Code.
(2) The provisions of sub -section (1) shall apply to the trial of offences mentioned therein
committed before the notification aforesaid.
22. Offence under Ordinance to be cognizable and non -bailable. Notwithstanding anything
contained in the Code every offence punishable under this Ordinance shall be cognizable and non -
bailable.
23. Jurisdiction barred. Except as provided in this Ordinance no proceeding or order taken or
made under this Ordinance shall be called in question in any court and no civil or criminal proceeding
shall be instituted against any person for anything in good faith done or intended to be done under this
Ordinance.
24. Effect of orders, etc., inconsistent with other enactments. Any order made, and any other
action taken, under this Ordinance shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith
contained in any enactment other than t his Ordinance or in any instrument having effect by virtue of
any enactment other than this Ordinance.
25. Operation of other penal laws not barred. Nothing contained in this Ordinance shall be
deemed to prevent any person from being prosecuted under any other law for any act or omission
which constitutes an offence punishable under this Ordinance.
26. Delegation of power to Deputy Commissioners. Government may, by order in writing, direct
that the power under sub-section (1) of section 3 shall, subject to such restrictions as may be specified,
be exercisable by any District Magistrate within his jurisdiction.
IIns. by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 7.
Page 15 of 15
27. Power to make rules. Government may make rules not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Ordinance, to carry into effect the purpose thereof.
28. Repeal and saving. (1) (a) Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 17, 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30 of the Baluchistan
Public Safety Regulation, 1947, and sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 17, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30 of the Baluchistan
States Union Public Safety Regulation are hereby repealed.
(b) The following Acts are hereby repealed :—
(i) the Bahawalpur State Public Security Act, 1944,
(ii) the North-West Frontier Province Public Safety Act, 1948 (N. W. F. P.
III of 1948),
(iii) the Punjab Public Safety Act, 1949 (Punjab XVIII of 1949), 1[*]
(iv) the Khairpur Pubic Order and Detention Khairpur Act, 1954 (Khairpur
XI of 1954) 1[,and]
1[(v) the Sind State Prisoners Regulation, 1827 (Sind Regulation XXV of
1827).]
(2) All such orders (whether notified or not) made and directions issued under the enactments
repealed under sub -section (1) as were in force i mmediately before the commencement of this
Ordinance shall, so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance continue in
force and shall be deemed to have been made and issued under this Ordinance.
________
156022 Date: 08-01-2025
1Omitted, replaced and added by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. IX of 1963, s. 2.This law in the library
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Section 3
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4. Powers of photographing, etc. , of suspected persons. (1) Government or other authority making an arrest or directing the arrest of a person under section 3 may by order direct that the arrested person shall— (a) let himself be photographed ; (b) allow his finger and thumb-impressions to be taken ; and (c) furnish specimens of his handwriting and signature.
Section 3
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(5-b) No order under clause ( b) of sub-section (1) shall have effect for a period exceeding three months u nless the Board constituted under sub -section (5) of section 3 has re ported, before the expiration of the said period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for the making of such order; and the provisions of sub -sections (5-b), (5 -c), (5 -d), (5 -e) and ( 5-f) of section 3
Section 3
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d period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for the making of such order; and the provisions of sub -sections (5-b), (5 -c), (5 -d), (5 -e) and ( 5-f) of section 3 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the reference made to the Board in regard to any such order.] (6) An order made under sub-section (1) shall remain inforce for such period not exceeding two years as may be speci
Section 7
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(b) carries for delivery to another person otherwise than through the post, Page 13 of 15 any document in respect of which a notification under section 7 is in force, or of which the importation has been prohibited under the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (VIII of 1878), or in respect of which an order of forfeiture has been made under any law for the time being in force or any documen
Section 5
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fine, or with both. Page 14 of 15 1[20-A. Representation against certain orders. (1) Where a representation is received under sub-section (5) of section 5 against an order under clause (a), clause (c), clause (d) or clause (e) of sub- section (1) of section 5, Government shall, if the order represented against is not rescinded or cancelled and the order is to have effect for a p
Section 5
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ere a representation is received under sub-section (5) of section 5 against an order under clause (a), clause (c), clause (d) or clause (e) of sub- section (1) of section 5, Government shall, if the order represented against is not rescinded or cancelled and the order is to have effect for a period exceeding three months, forward the case, including the representation, to the Board constituted u
Section 3
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and the order is to have effect for a period exceeding three months, forward the case, including the representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3. (2) Where a representation is made to Government under the provisions of sub -section (3) of section 6 or sub -section (2) of section 7, Government shall , be as soon as may be, for ward the case, including the repre
Section 6
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tion, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3. (2) Where a representation is made to Government under the provisions of sub -section (3) of section 6 or sub -section (2) of section 7, Government shall , be as soon as may be, for ward the case, including the representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3. (3) The Board shall, after conside
Section 7
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der sub-section (5) of section 3. (2) Where a representation is made to Government under the provisions of sub -section (3) of section 6 or sub -section (2) of section 7, Government shall , be as soon as may be, for ward the case, including the representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3. (3) The Board shall, after considering the representation and such
Section 3
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-section (2) of section 7, Government shall , be as soon as may be, for ward the case, including the representation, to the Board constituted under sub-section (5) of section 3. (3) The Board shall, after considering the representation and such further information or material as may be placed before it by Government or the person making the represen tation, and giving such person an opportun
Section 3
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ble under this Ordinance. 26. Delegation of power to Deputy Commissioners. Government may, by order in writing, direct that the power under sub-section (1) of section 3 shall, subject to such restrictions as may be specified, be exercisable by any District Magistrate within his jurisdiction. IIns. by the West Pakistan Ordinance No. XVIII of 1964, s. 7. Page 15 of 15 27.
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- e631985c86364185d20441dcaa22f8d2dbf5626fe4cbad58134399be07b4af95
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- West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960
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