Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre Act, 2013

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THE GLOBAL CLIMATE-CHANGE IMPACT STUDIES CENTRE 
ACT, 2013 
 
 
 
 
              CONTENTS 
              ___________ 
                                                              
SECTIONS: 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 
 
CHAPTER II 
GLOBAL CLIMATE-CHANGE IMPACT STUDIES CENTRE 
3. Establishment of the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre. 
4. Functions of the Centre. 
 
CHAPTER III 
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CENTRE 
5. Board of Governors. 
6. Functions and powers of the Board. 
7. Terms of office of members. 
8. Meetings of the Board. 
9. Executive Director. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Updated till 06.03.2023
 
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CHPATER IV 
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 
10. Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre Fund. 
11. Budget. 
12. Pay scales. 
13. Maintenance of accounts. 
14. Audit. 
 
CHAPTER V 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
15. Annual report. 
16. Recruitment of officers and staff. 
17. Appointment by deputation. 
18. Delegation of powers. 
19. Cooperation with international organizations, etc. 
20. Discoveries and inventions. 
21. Validity of proceedings. 
22. Indemnity. 
23. Common seal. 
24. Winding up. 
25. Powers to make rules. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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THE 1[GLOBAL CLIMATE-CHANGE] IMPACT STUDIES CENTRE ACT, 2013 
ACT NO. XVII OF 2013 
[22 March, 2013] 
An Act to provide for establishment of 1[Global Climate-Change] Impact Studies Centre 
WHEREAS significant climate change is taking place due to human interference with natu re 
which is resulting in global warming and occurrence of extreme events such as floods, droughts, 
tornadoes, etc. with far-reaching consequences for human life; 
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to provide for the establishment of 1[Global Climate-Change] 
Impact Studies Centre (GCISC) to undertake scientific investigations of the phenomenon of climate 
change at regional and sub-regional levels and study its impact on various sectors of socio -economic 
development in order to prepare the country to meet threats t o its water resources, agriculture, 
ecology, energy, health, bio-diversity etc, and for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto; 
It is hereby enacted as under:— 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .—(1) This Act may be cal led the 1[Global 
Climate-Change] Impact Studies Centre Act, 2013. 
 
(2)        It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
(3)        It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— 
(a)       “Board” means the Board of Governors established under section 5; 
(b)       “Centre” means the 1[Global Climate -Change] Impact Studies Centre 
(GCISC) established under section 3; 
(c)        “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board; 
(d)        “employees” means persons employed by the Centre; 
(e)       “Executive Director ” means the Executive Director  of the Centre appointed 
under section 9; 
(f)        “Fund” means the 1[Global Climate -Change] Impact Studies  Centre Fund 
established under section 10; 
(g)        “prescribed” means prescribed by rules; and 
 1Subs. by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amdt.) Act No VI of 2023, s.2. 
 
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(h)       “research studies” means theoretical or experimental research work, including 
modeling and simulation techni ques undertaken to acquire knowledge of 
fundamental principles of the climate change phenomenon and its impacts. 
CHAPTER II 
1[Global Climate-Change] IMPACT STUDIES CENTRE 
3. Establishment of the 1[Global Climate -Change] Impact Studies Centre. —(1) There 
shall be established a 1[Global Climate -Change] Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), to carr y out the 
purposes and objectives of this Act. 
(2) The Centre shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal, 
with power to acquire and hold property, both moveable and immoveable, and sue and be sued in its 
own name. 
(3) The headquarters of the Centre shall be at Islamabad and it may establish its regional 
offices at such places as it may consider appropriate. 
(4)  The Centre shall keep close liaison with the corresponding Province level Centres as and 
when they are established. The Centre shall also help in the capacity building of such Provincial 
institutions. 
4. Functions of the Centre. —(1) The Centre shall take all measures to accelerate research  
work necessary for the study of climate change and its impacts on various sectors of socio -economic 
development such as water resources, agriculture, ecology, energy, health, bio-diversity, etc. 
(2)  The Centre shall, in order to carry out its functions,— 
(a) prepare and submit for approval of the Board schemes or projects, including 
joint projects with national, foreign or international entities; 
(b) proceed to give effect to proposals, schemes or projects as approved by the 
Board; 
(c) enter into collaboration and jo int ventures with domestic and foreign entities 
for research studies related to the climate change phenomenon; 
(d) hold seminars, conferences, workshops, training courses, etc., and publish 
research papers, etc; 
(e) advise and recommend to government agencies sect oral guidelines for 
adaptation and mitigation efforts in relation to climate change; 
(f) generate public awareness of the phenomenon of climate change and its likely 
impacts; and 
(g) perform such other acts as may be necessary for achievement of the purposes 
of this Act. 
 1Subs. by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amdt.) Act No VI of 2023, s.2. 
 
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CHAPTER III 
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CENTRE 
5.  Board of Governors.—(1) The general direction and administration of the Centre and its 
affairs shall vest in the Board of Governors which shall determine and execute policies of the Centre 
and may exercise all powers and do all acts, which may be required to be exercised or done by the 
Centre, relating to its functions, in accordance with this Act. 
 
(2) For furthering the functions of the Centre, the Federal Government may, as and when it 
considers necessary, issue directives to the Centre on matters of policy. If a question arises as to 
whether any matter is a matter of policy or not, the decision of the Fede ral Government thereon shall 
be final. 
 
(3) The Board shall consist of the Chairman who shall be the Federal Minister -in-charge of 
the concerned Ministry dealing with the subject of climate change, ex-officio members and the 
following members to be appointed by the 1[Prime Minister],— 
 
(a) Secretary, Ministry dealing with the subject of climate change Vice-
Chairman 
(b) Secretary, Ministry of Finance Member 
(c) 1[Secretary of the Division to which business of science and technology 
stands allocated 
Member] 
(d) 1[Secretaries of the Division to which business of water resources and 
energy stands allocated 
Member] 
(e) Secretary, Ministry dealing with the subject of national food security 
and research 
Member 
(f) 1[Secretary of the Division to which business of industries and 
production stands allocated 
Member] 
(g) Director General, Pakistan Meteorological Department Member 
(h) Chairman, Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. Member 
1[(ha) Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority Member 
(hb) Chairman, Higher Education Commission Member 
(hc) Secretary, Foreign Affairs Division Member] 
(i) Secretary, Environment or of the relevant Department and one Technical 
Expert 1[or scientist] nominated by respective Provincial Governments, 
Azad Government of the Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan 
Members 
(j) three eminent scientists Members 
(k) two eminent representatives from private Sector 1[ and two form civil 
society] 
Members 
1 Subs., Ins. & Added by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amdt.) Act No VI of 2023, s.3. 
 
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(l) Executive Director of the Centre Member 
  
(4)  In absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall exercise powers of the Chairman. 
(5)  The Executive Director shall act as the Secretary of the Board. 
(6)  The 1[Prime Minister] may vary constitution of the Board as and when 1[he] may deem 
appropriate. 
6. Functions and powers of the Board. —The Board shall— 
(a)     have administrative and financial powers for operation and maintenance of the 
Centre and to perform all functions vested in the Centre; and 
 
(b)    oversee administrative and financial operation and maintenance of the Centre   
and for that purposes perform the following functions, namely:— 
(i)  delegate administrative and financial powers to various functionari es 
of the Centre in the manner prescribed; 
 
(ii) prescribe service rules, recruitment rules, selection criteria, terms and 
conditions in all cadres for regular appointment or short term contract 
engagements for junior, middle and senior level professionals , 
consultants, experts and advisers in the fields relevant to the 
programmes and other employees of the Centre; 
 
(iii) approve the budget estimates as per provision in the budget of the 
Centre and utilization of funds on annual basis and exercise the powers 
in accordance with the rules, procedures and instructions specified by 
the Federal Government; 
(iv) approve creation of posts in the Centre; 
(v)  prescribe 1[******] terms and conditions for training of employees of 
the Centre; 1[*] 
(vi) monitor and appr ove progress reports prior to their submission to the 
1[Prime Minister] 1[;] 
1[(vii)  where necessary to establish committees and sub-committess; 
(viii) as it may deem fit, to confer prizes, honors or awards for meritorious   
behavior; 
(ix) where necessary and under guidance of the administrative Division, to 
cooperate with international entities; and 
(x)  to undertake any other actions needed to achieve objectives of this 
Act.] 
1Subs., Omitted, and Added by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amdt.) Act No VI of 2023, s.3 & 4. 
 
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7. Terms of office of members. —(1) The members, other than ex-officio members, shall be 
appointed for a period of three years by the 1[Prime Minister]  and shall be eligible for re -
appointment for one more term of three years. 
(2)  The members, other than ex-officio members, may at any time resign their offices by a 
letter addressed to the 1[Prime Minister] , through the Chairman of the Board, provided that no 
resignation shall take effect until accepted by the 1[Prime Minister]. 
(3)  An ex-officio member of the Board shall cease to be a member when he ceases to hold 
that office or post by virtue of which he was an ex-officio member. 
(4)  The 1[Prime Minister]  may at any time terminate the appointment of any nominated 
member without assigning any reason. 
8. Meetings of the Board.—(1) The Board shall regulate procedure for its meetings. 
(2)  The meeting of the Board shall be convened and chaired by the Chairman and, in his 
absence, by the Vice -Chairman, on such date, time and place as may be specified by him, provided 
that— 
(a) meeting shall be held on quarterly basis; and 
(b) at least two weeks prior notice shall be given to the members specifying date, 
time and place of the meeting. 
(3) The annual report and the accounts of the Centre for eac h financial year shall be 
submitted at a meeting of the Board to be held within six months of the close of that year for 
approval, adoption and record. 
(4) The quorum of the meeting of the Board shall be fifty per cent of the total membership. 
(5) All deci sions at a meeting of the Board shall be by a majority vote of the members 
present and voting, and in case of a tie, Chairman shall exercise a casting vote. 
(6) Any emergent business may be transacted by the Board by circulation among its members 
and any proposal so circulated and approved by a majority of the members shall be deemed to have 
been approved by the Board in its regular meeting. 
(7) All orders, resolutions, determinations and decisions of the Board shall be properly 
recorded in writing by the Secretary of the Board for the approval of Chairman and circulation to the 
members. 
9. Executive Director.—(1) There shall be an Executive Director of the Centre who shall be 
its chief executive officer. He shall be a person with extensive relevant educatio n, technical and 
administrative experience and shall be appointed on contract basis in such manner and on such terms 
and conditions as may be prescribed. 
 
1Subs. by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amdt.) Act No VI of 2023, s.5. 
 
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 (2)  The Executive Director shall— 
(a)       exercise administrative and financial powers as delegated by the Board for the 
operation and maintenance of the Centre. He shall also have the powers as 
given by the Board to supervise preparation and disbursement of budget of th e 
Centre; 
 
(b)       submit annual accounts and budget proposals for approval of the Board; 
 
(c)       organize international and national conferences, training courses and seminars; 
 
(d)      prepare annual reports and such other reports as may be require d for 
consideration by the Board; 
 
(e)       ensure implementation of the decisions of the Board;1[*] 
 
(f)        exercise such other financial and administrative powers as may b e delegated 
to him by the Board 1[; and] 
 
1[(g) oversee and guide the research agenda.] 
CHAPTER IV 
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 
10. 2[Global Climate-Change] Impact Studies Centre Fund.—(1) There shall be a Fund to 
be known as the 2[Global Climate-Change] Impact Studies Centre Fund. The Fund shall vest in the 
Centre and shall be used by the Centre to meet its expenses. 
 
(2) The Fund shall comprise,— 
(a) such sums as the Federal Government may allocate to the Centre in the annual 
budget; 
 
(b) grants or loans from the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments, 
or other such institutions or states with approval of the Federal Government; 
 
(c) income from investments, royalties and receipts fr om other sources and 
donations, etc; 
 
(d) donations, gifts, bequests, etc; and 
 
(e) all other sums which may by any manner become payable to or vest in the 
Centre in respect of any matter. 
 
(3) The Centre shall exercise highest standards of prudence as far as expenditures are 
concerned. 
 
11. Budget. —The Centre, with approval of the Board, shall, by such date in each year as 
may be prescribed, submit to the Federal Governm ent for approval, a budget in the prescribed form 
for each financial year showing estimated expenditure and the sums which are likely to be required 
from the Federal Government during that financial year. 
1Omitted, Subs. and Added by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amdt.) Act No VI of 2023, s.6. 
2Subs. by the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (Amdt.) Act No VI of 2023, s.2. 
 
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12. Pay scales. —The employees of the Centre shall be given Special Pay Scales (SPS) and 
shall also be entitled for any time to time increases, allowances or revisions in salary as are allowed 
to the employees of other organizations drawing SPS. 
13. Maintenance of accounts. —The Centre shall ensure proper maintenance of accounts 
and shall after the end of each financial year prep are a statement of accounts which shall include a 
balance sheet and an account of government funds receipt and expenditure. 
14. Audit.—The accounts of the Centre shall be audited each year by the Auditor -General of 
Pakistan, in accordance with relevant rules of the Centre and other applicable laws. 
CHAPTER V 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
15. Annual report. —Within ninety days from the end of each financial year, the Centre 
shall cause a report to be prepared on its activities including research studies conducted by the 
Centre during that financial year. The report shall be presented to the Board in its next meeting for 
approval. After approval by the Board, the report shall be released to public and presented to the 
President of Pakistan. 
16. Recruitment of office rs and staff. —(1) With approval of the Board, all existing 
employees of the GCISC, hereinafter referred to as the Project, shall, notwithstanding anything 
contained in any law or in any agreement, deed, document or other instrument, stand absorbed and 
transferred with the existing SPS to the Centre, after obtaining prior consent front such employees of 
the Project and shall be deemed to have been appointed or engaged by the Centre in accordance with 
the terms and conditions which shall not be less favourabl e than those in the Project and no 
employee whose services are so absorbed and transferred shall be entitled to any compensation 
because of such absorption or transfer. 
(2)  The Centre, with approval of the Board, may prescribe the procedure, terms and 
conditions of service for appointment of its officers and staff. The regional or provincial quota for 
initial appointment shall be observed in accordance with the instructions issued by the Federal 
Government. The appointments to the posts of advisers, consul tants, visiting scientists or experts 
shall be made in the Centre as per delegation of powers given by the Board. 
(3) The disciplinary and misconduct cases of the employees of the Centre shall be governed 
in accordance with rules of the Federal Government. 
(4) The employees of the Centre shall be entitled to such pension and gratuity or provident 
fund scheme as in force for Federal Government employees, from such date as the Board may notify. 
17. Appointment by deputation.—The Centre may appoint on deputation officers or staff of 
other Divisions or Departments or bodies or corporations, on equivalent or higher posts. 
18. Delegation of powers. —The Board may, by general or special order in writing, direct 
that such of its powers shall, in such circumstances an d under such conditions as may be prescribed, 
be exercisable also by the Executive Director or by any other member or officer of the Centre. 
 
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19. Cooperation with international organizations, etc. —The Centre may, subject to 
approval of the Federal Government, cooperate with foreign or international organizations concerned 
with climate change-related research and studies. It shall act as facilitator for promoting cooperation 
between the climate change national institutions or organizations and relevant foreig n and 
international organizations. 
20. Discoveries and inventions.—All rights including international property rights related to 
discoveries and inventions made by any officer or employee of the Centre in the course of his 
employment shall vest in the Centre. 
21. Validity of proceedings. —No act or proceeding of the Centre or the Board shall be 
invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in, or defect in constitution of, the Centre or the 
Board, as the case may be. 
22. Indemnity.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Centre, 
the Board, the Chairman or any member, officer, staff, adviser or consultant of the Centre in respect 
of anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this Act or the rules made thereunder. 
23. Common seal. —(1) The Centre shall have a common seal and such seal be kept by the 
Executive Director or such other person as may be authorized by the Executive Director. 
(2)  The seal shall be authenticated in the manner as may be prescribed and an y document 
purported to be sealed with the seal so authenticated shall be receivable as evidence of the particulars 
as stated in the document. 
24. Winding up. —The Centre shall not be wound up except by an order of the Federal 
Government in such manner as the Federal Government may prescribe. 
25. Powers to make rules. —The Board may, with the approval of the Federal Government 
and by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
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