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THE LITERACY ORDINANCE, 1985   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
    
1. Short title, extent, application and commencement  
2. Definitions  
3. Issue of passports, etc., to and employment of, literate persons only  
4. Savings 

 
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THE LITERACY ORDINANCE, 1985 
 
ORDINANCE No. XXVII OF 1985 
 
[31st March, 1985] 
 
An Ordinance to encourage Literacy 
 
WHEREAS Islam assigns great importance to the acquisition of knowledge and  makes its 
pursuit incumbent upon every Muslim ; 
 
AND WHEREAS the literacy ratio in Pakistan is very low which is a matter of great concern 
for the Government ; 
 
AND WHEREAS the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary 
to take immediate action ; 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the fifth day of July, 1977, and in 
exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the P resident is pleased to make and promulgate 
the following Ordinance:—  
   1. Short title, extent, application and commencement.—(1) This Ordinance may be called 
the Literacy Ordinance, 1985. 
 
 (2) It extends to the Islamabad Capital territory and also applies to the establishments and 
institutions under the control of the Federal Government throughout Pakistan. 
 
1[(3) It shall come into force on such 2date as the Federal Government may, by notification in 
the official Gazette, appoint.] 
 
   2. Definitions.—In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or 
context,—  
(a) “literate person” means a person who is certified by an authority to be able to 
read a newspaper and write a simple letter in any language; 
 
(b) “passport” has the same meaning as in the Passports Act, 1974 (XX of 1974) ; 
 
(c) “driving licence” means a licence issued under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 
1965 (W. P. Ordinance XIX of 1965), which authorizes the holder thereof to 
drive a motor vehicle; 
 
(d) “arms licence ” means a licence issued under the Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 
1985 (W. P. Ordinance XX of 1965) ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Subs. and shall be deemed always to have been so subs. by Act VII of 1987, s.2. 
2 i.e. 1­1­93, vide Ministry of Education’s Notification No. F.5­4/91­NFE­II, dt. 15­8­1991,see Gaz. of Pak. Ext. Pt. III, K­1991, p. 419. 
 
 
 
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 (e) “authority” means the Headmaster of the Middle or High School of the District 
in which the applicant is residing; or  an officer of the Literacy and Mass 
Education Commission or the Federal Ministry of Education or Federal 
Directorate of Education; or a person authorised to issue a passport or a driving 
license or an arms license; or the appointing authorities in the establishments or 
establishments under the control of the Federal Government. 
 
 3. Issue of passports, etc., to and employment of, literate persons only.  Notwithstanding 
anything contained in any other law for the time being in force,__ 
  
(a) a passport other than a Hajj passport a driving licence or an arms licence shall 
be issued only to a literate person; and 
 
(b) only a literate person shall be eligible for employment under a local body or an 
establishment or institution under the control of the Federal Government: 
  
 Provided that this section not be deemed to apply to the renewal of licences or passports issued, 
or to appointments made, before the date on which this Ordinance comes into force. 
 
 4. Savings. The provisions of section 3, so far as may be, shall not apply to a person who is 
physically or mentally handicapped.