Page 1 of 10 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OF PAKISTAN CORPORATION ORDINANCE, 2002 CONTENTS 1. Short title and commencement 2. Definitions 3. Establishment of the Corporation 4. Headquarters of the Corporation 5. Functions of the Corporation 6. Management of the Corporation 7. Constitution of the Board 8. Terms of office of the Chairman and members 9. Meeting of the Board 10. Managing Director 11. Recruitment of officers etc. 12. Members, officers etc. to be public servants 13. Transfer of officers, servants etc., to the Corporation 14. Budget 15. Maintenance of Accounts 16. Audit 17. Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation Fund 18. Delegation of powers 19. Indemnity Page 2 of 10 20. Winding up of the Corporation 21. Power to make rules 22. Power to make regulations 23. Repeal and savings 24. Removal of difficulties Page 3 of 10 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OF PAKISTAN CORPORATION ORDINANCE, 2002 ORDINANCE No. LXXX OF 2002 [19th October, 2002] AN ORDINANCE to provide for reconstitution of the Associated Press of Pakistan WHEREAS it is expedient to ensure effective operation and to streamline , improve, and enlarge Associated Press of Pakistan as a public information medium; AND WHEREAS it is expedient to take steps for adding greater professionalism to the Associated Press of Pakist an and make its management more broad based allowing its professionalism independence autonomy with a view to enabling it to obtain from international news agencies services and create greater trust of its secrecy and credibility amongst people, and for matters connected thereto or incidental thereof; AND WHEREAS the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action; NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Pr oclamation of Emergency of the f ourteenth day of October, 1999, the Provisional Constitution Order No. 1 of 1999, read with the Provisional Constitution (Amendment) Order No. 9 of 1999, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:― 1. Short title and commencement. ___(1) This Ordinance may be called the Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation Ordinance, 2002. (2) It shall come into force at once. 2. Definitions.― In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,― (a) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation; (b) “Bureau” means any news receiving or transmitting unit so designated by the corporation; (c) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board; (d) “Corporation” means the Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation established under section 3; Page 4 of 10 1[(da) “division concerned” means the M inistry or, as the case may be, the division to which business of the corporation stands allocated;] (e) 1[* * * * * * *] (f) “Managing Director” means the Managing Director of the Corporation; (g) “member” means member of the Board; 1[(ga) “Minister” means Ministry-in-Charge of the division concerned;] (h) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulations made under this Ordinance; (i) “regulations” means regulations made under this Ordinance; (j) “rules” means rules made under this Ordinance; and (k) “subscriber” means a person or body whether private or public receiving services from the Corporation; 3. Establishment of the Corporation.___ The Associated Press of Pakistan as reconstituted in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be a corporation to be called the Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation which shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with powers to acquire, hold and dispose of property both movable and immovable and shall by the said name sue and be sued. 4. H eadquarters of the Corporation. ___ The headquarters of the corporation shall be at Islamabad and the corporation may establish its Bureaus or constitute its Stations at such places, both within and abroad as the Board may, with the approval of the Federal Government, decide. 5. Functions of the Corporation.___ The functions of the Corporation shall be to― (a) undertake the work of a news agency or news agencies in any part of the world and in particular to collect, transmit, circulate in Pakistan and abroad such news, features, photographs, videos or any such material, for distribution to such person or corporations, newspapers or organizations desirous of obtaining suc h news and material or any part thereof on such terms and conditions as the Board may, from time to time determine; (b) carry on all or any of the activities which help in news gathering and its dissemination through print, cyber­net, audio, video, still and any other methods of photography required for this purpose; 1Ins. and omitted by Act No. XXV of 2026, s.2. Page 5 of 10 (c) enter into any arrangements and to take all necessary or proper step s with governments or with other authorities, persons, bodies, of organizations, international, national, local, municipal or otherwise of any place in which the Corporation may have interests and to carry on any negotiations or operations for the purpose of directly or indirectly carrying out its objects affe cting any modification in its functioning; (d) advance, deposit or le nd money, acquire securities and property or receive loans, grants-in­aid, subsidy, subscription fee, assistance or deposits from the Government and other authorities or bodies or organizations; (e) invest any moneys of the C orporation not for the time being required for any of the purposes of the Corporation in such investments (other than shares or stock) as may be in the interest of the Corporation; (f) establish, provide, maintain and conduct research and training activities for the training, education and instruction of employees, students and others who may desire to avail themselves of the same; (g) compile, prepare, produce, print, publish, issue, circulate and distribute, with or without charge such papers, magazines, periodicals, books, circulars and other such m atter as may be conducive to an y of the functions of the Corporation; (h) carry out instructions of the 1[division concerned] with regard to general pattern of policies in respect of announcements, news and views to be disseminated from time to time; (i) sign agreements with international news agencies, national news agencies of other countries for securing and disseminating th e same to end­users in and outside Pakistan; and (j) sell news, features, photos, audios and videos to mass media, news agencies and any other organization within and outside Pakistan. 6. Management of the Corporation .___(1) The g eneral directions and administration of the affairs of the corporation shall vest in the Board which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the Corporation. (2) In discharge of its functions the Corporation shall be bound by such directives and order, if any, as may be given to it on any question of policy by the Federal Government which shall be the sole Judge as to whether a question is a question of policy. 1Subs. by Act No. XXV of 2026, s.3. Page 6 of 10 7. Constitution of the Board.___(1) The Board shall consist of eleven members including the Chairman, consisting of___ (a) Secretary, Ministry of Information Chairman and Media Development. (b) Managing Director, Associated Member Press of Pakistan Corporation ex­officio (c) Managing Director, Member P.T. V. Corporation ex­officio (d) Director General, Member Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation ex­officio (e) Principal Information Officer, Member Press Information Department, ex­officio Government of Pakistan. (f) the President, Council of Pakistan Member Newspaper’s Editors (CPNE). ex­officio (g) the Financial Adviser, Ministry of Member Information and Media Development. ex­officio (h) the Chairman, Department of Mass Member Communication, University of Punjab, Lahore. ex­officio (i) the Chairman, Department of Mass Communication, Member Karachi University, Karachi; and ex­officio (j) two renowned media persons from private sector to be Members nominated by the 1[Prime Minister]. (2) A member, other than the Financial Adviser, shall be a person with adequate experience in the field of information and mass communication. 8. Terms of office of the Chairman and members .___(1)Save as otherwise provided a member shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. (2) An ex­officio member shall hold office as member till such time he holds the office by virtue of which he is a member and upon his transfer therefrom or retirement, resignation or removal from office, the person appointed in such member’s place shall be the member. (3) The Chairman, and other ex­officio members shall serve on the Board in honorary capacity but shall be entitled to travelling allowance and other such expenses when engaged on business of the Board as may be prescribed. 1Subs. by Act No. XXV of 2026, s.4. Page 7 of 10 (4) The members from the private sector shall be entitled to such terms and condition as the 1[as may be prescribed] may determine. 9. Meeting of the Board .___(1) The Board shall meet at such time and such place as the Chairman may decide: Provided that not less than three meetings of the Board shall be held in a year including one mandatory meeting to be held in the month of December each year. (2) To constitute a quorum at the meeting of the Board not less than six members incl uding the Chairman shall be present. (3) The Chairman and in his absence, any member so authorized by him, shall preside at the meeting of the Board. (4) All matters or agenda to be taken up at the meeting of the Board shall be decided by the Chairman subject to the condition that any matter not borne on the agenda of a meeting may be taken up if the majority of the members present in the meeting so decide. (5) All questions at the meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority vote and in case of equality of votes the person presiding shall have a casting vote. 10. Managing Director.___ There shall be a Managing Director of the Corporation who shall be appointed by the 1[Prime Minister] on such terms and conditions as the 1[Prime Minister] may determine. 11. Recruitment of officers etc.___ (1) The Corporation may, from time to time, appoint such officers and servants as it may consider necessary for performance of its functions. (2) The Corporation shall prescribe by regulations the procedure for appointment of its officers and employees and the terms and conditions of their service. 12. Members, officers etc. to be public servants.― The Chairman, Members, the Managing Director and other officers and servants of the Corporation shall, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules or regulations made thereunder, be deemed to be public servant within the meaning o f section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 13. Transfer of officers, servants etc., to the Corporation .___(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, contract or agreement or in the conditions of service, every officer, servant or employee of the Associated Press of Pakistan existing immediately before the establishment of the Corporation shall, on such establishment , stand transferred to, and beco me an employee of the Corporation on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by regulations: Provided that the pay and allowances to which an officer and servant of the Corporation shall be entitled shall not be less favou rable than those to which he was entitled immediately before such transfer. 1Subs. by Act No. XXV of 2026, ss. 5-6. Page 8 of 10 (2) No person who stands transferred to the Corporation by virtue of sub­section (1) shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any law, contract or agreement, be entitled to any compensation because of such transfer. 14. Budget.___ The Corporation shall, in respect of each financial year, submit for the approval of the Federal Government by such date and in such form as may be specified by the Federal Government a statement showing the estimated receipts for current and development expenditure and the sums which are likely to be required from the Federal Government during the next financial year. 15. Maintenance of Accounts. ___ The accounts of the Corporation shall be maintained in such form and manner as th e Federal Government may, in consultation with the Controller­General of Accounts, determined. 16. Audit.___(1) The accounts of the Corporation shall be audited by an Auditor appointed by the Corporation who is a Chartered Accountant within the meanings of the Chartered Accountants Ordinance, 1961 (X of 1961) to be appointed by the Board with the prior approval of the Federal Government: Provided that the Auditor­General of Pakistan shall have the power to audit or cause to be audited the accounts of the Corporation. (2) Copies of the audit report shall be placed before the Board for approval and the report shall be made available for public inspection. (3) Copies of the audit report, together with the report of the Board thereon shall be submitted to the Federal Government within six months of the close of every financial year by the Corporation. 17. Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation Fund. ___ (1) There shall be a fund to be known as the “Associated Press of Pakistan Corpo ration Fund” which shall vest in the Corporation and shall be utilized by the Corporation to meet charges in connection with its functions under this Ordinance including payment of salaries and other remuneration to the Managing Director, non­official Members, officers and employees of the Corporation. (2) The Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation Fund shall consist of― (a) grants made by the Federal Government; (b) loans obtained from the banks and other financial institutions as may be approved by the Federal government; (c) subscription fee from the subscribers of the Associated Press of Pakistan; (d) sale proceeds, royalties of the newspapers items, features, ph otos, cyber nets, audios, videos etc.; (e) gifts, endowment, grants and other contributions from philanthropists, agencies, foundations or organizations; and Page 9 of 10 (f) other sums received from other sources approved by the Board. 18. Delegation of powers.___ The Board may, from time to time, by general or special order, delegate to the Managing Director or any other Member or an officer of the Corporation any of its powers, duties or functions under this Ordinance, subject to such conditions as it m ay think fit to impose. 19. Indemnity.___ No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Corporation, the Managing Director, or any Member, officer or employee of the Corporation in respect of any thing done or intended to be done in good faith under this Ordinance. 20. Winding up of the Corporation. ___No provision of law relating to winding up of bodies corporate shall apply to the Corporation and the Corporation shall not be wound up except by the order of the Federal Government in such manner as the Federal Government may determine. 21. Power to make rules. ___ The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance. 22. Power to make regulations. ___ The Corporation may, by notification in the official Gazette, make regulation not inconsistent with this Ordinance and the rules made thereunder to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance. 23. Repeal and savings. ___(1) The Associated Press of Pakistan (Takin g over) Ordinance, 1961 (XX of 1961) is hereby repealed. (2) Upon the commencement of this Ordinance― (a) all funds, properties, rights and interests of whatsoever kind issued and used, enjoyed, possessed, owned or vested in the Associated Press of Pakistan in existence immediately before such commencement and all liabilities, legally subsisting against the said APP shall pass to the Corporation as established under this Ordinance; (b) everything done, action taken, obligation or liabilities incurred, rights and assets acquired, persons appointed, or authorised jurisdiction or power conferred, endowment, bequests, funds or trust created, donations or grants made or issued under any provision of t he repealed Ordinance, rule s or regulations, applicable to the said APP shall remain in force and be continued and, be deemed to have been respectively done, taken, incurred, acquired, appointed, authorized, conferred, created, made, or issued under this Ordinance and reference in any document to any provision of the said Ordinance or rules or regulations made thereunder shall, so far as may be deemed to be reference to the corresponding provisions of this Ordinance or the rules or regulations made or deemed to have been made thereunder; (c) any rule or regulation made under the repealed Ordinance shall, in so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules or regulations made thereunder having recourse to the various matters which by Page 10 of 10 this Ordinance have to be regulated or prescribe d by rules or regulations respectively shall continue to be in force until they are repealed, replaced, rescinded or modified in accordance with the provision s of this Ordinance; and (d) all contracts and working arrangements made and incurred by the APP before the establishment of the Corporation shall be deemed to have been made or incurred by the Corporation and have effect accordingly. 24. Removal of difficulties. ___ If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this Ordinance the Federal Government may mak e such order, not inconsistent with the express provisions of this Ordinance as may appear to it to be necessary for the pu rpose of removing the difficulty. _____________ RGN Dated: 02-04-2026