Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Act, 2026

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THE PAKISTAN NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL ACT, 2026 
 
CONTENTS 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement 
2.  Definitions 
3.  Purpose of Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council 
4.  Establishment of the Council 
5.  Powers of the Council 
6.  Functions of the Council 
7.  Term of office of members 
8.  Casual Vacancies 
9.  Vacancy not to invalidate proceedings 
10.  Meetings of the Council 
11.  President and Vice-President 
12.  Executive Committee 
13.  Office of the Council 
14.  Innovation and Reforms Unit and Centres of Excellence 
15.  Secretary 
16.  Finance Director 
17.  Officers and support Staff of the Council 
18.  Provincial and Regional Nursing and Midwifery Board 
19.  Recognition of institutions conducting educational courses or programs 
20.  Inspection of Nursing Institution 
 

 
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21.  Appeal Against the Decisions of the Council 
22.  Random revisits 
23.  Inspection of affiliating universities 
24.  Recognition of foreign qualification 
25.  Certification of certain persons in possession of recognized qualification 
26.  Effect of recognition 
27.  Institutions to furnish information required by the Council 
28.  Withdrawal of Recognition 
29.  Maintenance of Database 
30.  Digital identification, verification, and digitization cost 
31.  Maintenance of the Register 
32.  Procedure for Registration 
33.  National Registration Examination 
34.  National Licensing Examination 
35.  Renewal of License 
36.  Removal of name from the Register 
37.  Disqualification for Registration 
38.  Prohibition of employment of unregistered nurses, etc. 
39.  Nursing standards in healthcare facilities 
40.  Insurance coverage for nursing personnel and students 
41.  Offences and penalties 
42.  Quarterly report 
43.  Appellate Authority 
44.  Commission of Inquiry 
45.  Directives from the Division concerned 
46.  Reporting, dissemination, and confidentiality of data 
47.  Action done in good faith 
 
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48.  Fund of the Council 
49.  Endowment Fund 
50.  Power to make regulations 
51.  Powers to make Rules 
52.  Removal of difficulties 
53.  Repeal and Saving 
The First Schedule 
The Second Schedule 
The Third Schedule 
The Fourth Schedule 
 
The Fifth Schedule 
 
  
 
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THE PAKISTAN NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL ACT, 2026 
ACT NO. XXXVII OF 2026 
[4th June, 2026] 
AN 
ACT 
to consolidate the laws relating to registration, licensing, and training of nurses, nurse 
practitioners, midwives, midwifery associates, and nurse auxiliaries 
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate the laws relating to registration, licensing, and training of 
nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwifery associates, nurse auxiliaries, and to provide for matters 
connected herewith and ancillary thereto; 
It is hereby enacted as follows:— 
1. Short title, extent and commencement.— (1) This Act may be called the Pakistan Nursing and 
Midwifery Council Act, 2026. 
(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,- 
(i)  “Affiliating univer sity” means a university or institute recognized by the Higher 
Education Commission, which is authorized under its charter or applicable law to 
affiliate nursing institutions and to conduct examinations, assessments, or award 
degrees in respect of nursing and midwifery programs recognized by the Council; 
(ii)  “Board” means a Provincial and Regional Nursing and Midwifery Examination 
Board constituted under section 18 of this Act;  
(iii)  “BSN” means a Bachelor of Science in Nursing declared as a r ecognized higher 
qualification; 
(iv)  “Centre of Excellence (CoE) Nursing Institution” means a specialized, high-standard 
nursing education and training institution that provides high -quality nursing 
education and training through faculty exchange programs, uses mod ern simulation 
labs and curricula aligned with international standards for export of nurses outside 
Pakistan, and ensures national and international employment of the nurses; 
(v)  “CNIC” means Computerized National Identity Card; 
(vi)  “Council” or “PN&MC” means the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council 
established under section 4 of this Act; 
 
 
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(vii)  “Current registration ” means a registration given by the Pakistan Nursing and 
Midwifery Council present on its Register; 
(viii)  “CSO” means a community service organization register ed with the relevant 
authority; 
(ix)  “Division concerned” means the Division to which the busin ess of the council shall 
stand allocated; 
(x)  “Endowment Fund” means the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Endowment 
Fund established under section 49 of this Act; 
(xi)  “Fund” means the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Fund establishe d under 
section 48 of this Act; 
(xii)  “Government” means the Federal Government; 
(xiii)  “Healthcare facility ” means the facility, either public or private, that provides 
healthcare including hospitals, trauma centres, institutes, clinics, outpatient care 
centers, community and rural health centres, basic health units, specialized care 
centres including psychiatric and rehabilitation centres and all such facilities where 
nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwifery associates or nursing auxiliaries are 
employed for provision of healthcare; 
(xiv)  “HEC” means the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan; 
(xv)  “ICAP” means the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan; 
(xvi)  “ICN” means International Council of Nurses; 
(xvii)  “Member” means a member of the Council and includes the President and the Vice-
President of the Council; 
(xviii)  “Midwifery associate” means a member of the health team, who has acquired the 
prescribed qualification recognized by council and is granted license to practice as 
midwifery associate by the Council and includes Lady Health Visitor, Community 
Midwife, associate degree holder, A ssociate Midwife and Family Welfare Worker 
who provides care during pregnancy, labor and postpartum period and instruct 
parents in baby care as per the scope of practice specified by the council; 
(xix)  “Midwifery professional ” means a person who has obtai ned the recognized 
qualification or recognized higher qualification and is granted licenses to practice by 
the council; 
(xx)  “NGO” means a Non -Governmental Organization register ed with the relevant 
authority; 
(xxi)  “NRE” means National Registration Examination, as specified in section 33  of this 
Act; 
 
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(xxii)  “NLE” means National Licensing Examination as specified in section 34 of this Act; 
(xxiii)  “Nurse” means a healthcare professional who— 
(A)  has completed a formally recognized program of nursing edu cation and has 
acquired the requisite qualification, and is granted a license to p ractice 
nursing by the council; 
(B)  demonstrates competency in the practice of nursing; and 
(C)  is authorized to 
(a)  engage in the general scope of nursing practice, inclu ding the 
promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of physically -ill, 
mentally-ill, and disabled people of all ages and in all healthcar e and 
other community settings; 
(b) carry out healthcare teaching in nursing; 
(c)  participate fully as a member of the healthcare team; 
(d)  supervise and train nursing auxiliaries; and 
(e)  be involved in research. 
(xxiv)  “Nurses Auxiliary ” means healthcare providers who assist nurses and other 
healthcare providers and include certified nursing assistants and pupil midwives; 
(xxv)  “Nursing Institution” means any school, college, university, or institute imparting 
education or training to nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwifery associates, 
or nursing auxiliaries recognized by the Council; 
(xxvi)  “Nurse Practitioner” means a nurse who has advanced clinical education and training 
and can perform physical examination, diagnose and treat diseases, prescribe 
medications and perform such duties carefully determined by the Council  and as 
prescribed under Rules; 
(xxvii)  “Prescribed” means prescribed under Rules or Regulations made under this Act; 
(xxviii) “Recognized Higher Qualifications” means a degree qualification recognized by the 
HEC and granted by an institution established and maintained in  Pakistan or in a 
foreign country, or granted by a university for nurses, midwives and midwifery 
associate which is declared to be a recognized higher qualification for the purposes 
of this Act and includes any qualification recognized as a higher qualification under 
this Act and obtained by a person registered with the Council prior to the date of the 
commencement of this Act shall continue to be recognized; 
(xxix)  “Recognized Qualifications” means a qualification granted by a Board or a university 
or which is declared to be a recognized qualification for the purposes of this Act and 
includes,— 
 
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(a)  a qualification specified in the First Schedule of this Act, amended from time 
to time, by the Council in consultation with the Division concerned; and 
(b)  a qualification, which immediately before the commencement of this Act, 
was a recognized qualification under the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 1952 
(LIX of 1952), the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 1973 (XXVI of 1973) as 
amended from time to time, and Pakista n Nursing and Midwifery Council 
Ordinance, 2025 to the extent of only such person(s) registered with the 
Council prior to the commencement of this Act; 
(xxx)  “Register” means the register of nurses, midwives, midwifery associates, and nursing 
auxiliaries maintained under section 31 of this Act; 
(xxxi)  “Regulations” mean regulations made under this Act; 
(xxxii) “RM” means Registered Midwife who has completed the prescribed qualification 
recognized by the Council and has been registered and licensed by the Council to 
practice as a registered midwife; 
(xxxiii) “Rules” mean rules made under this Act; 
(xxxiv) “Other Committees” means sub-committees constituted by the Council for special 
purpose under sub-section (2) of section 12 of this Act; 
(xxxv) Schedule” means the Schedules to this Act that may be ame nded by the Division 
concerned. 
(xxxvi) “Secretary” means secretary of the council; and 
(xxxvii) “Commission of Inquiry ” means the Commission of Inquiry established under 
Section 44 of this Act. 
3. Purpose of P akistan Nursing and Midwifery Council. —The purpose of the Council shall be 
to,— 
(i)  protect, promote, and maintain the public health and wellbeing; 
(ii)  to serve the people of Pakistan with regard to healthcare services in general, and 
nursing and Midwifery services in particular; 
(iii)  ensure uniform international standards and competencies of registered professionals 
of the Council; and 
(iv)  liaison with all stakeholders about nursing and midwifery education, professional 
good conduct, legal and authorized practice, and productive employment within and 
outside the country. 
4. Establishment of the Council.— (1) Upon the commencement of this Act, the Pakistan Nursing 
and Midwifery Council shall stand established. The Council shall consist of following nineteen members 
appointed by the Prime Minister upon recommendations of the Division concerned, namely:— 
 
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S.No. Designation Status 
(1) (2) (3) 
(a) 
Nominee of the Secretary of the Division 
concerned, not below the rank of BS-20; 
Ex-officio Member 
(b) 
Chief Nursing Administrator, by whatever name 
called, of the Armed Forces Nursing Service; 
Ex-officio Member 
(c) Director General Health, MNHSRC; Ex-officio Member 
(d) Director General of Nursing of each province; Ex-Officio Member 
(e) 
One senior nurse from the faculty of the academic 
institute imparting nursing education from the 
public or private sector to be nominated by each 
provincial Health Department and Department of 
Health, Gilgit -Baltistan and two senior nurses 
from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to be 
nominated by the Division concerned. 
 
The nominated person should hold the domicile of 
the respective provinces or region and possess  
master’s degree in nursing or equivalent duly 
recognized by the Council or HEC with ten years’ 
experience. 
 
Experience in nursing education, administration or 
quality assurance may be preferred. 
Nominated Member 
(f) 
One senior midwife or LHV to be nominated by 
the Division concerned. 
 
The nominated person shall possess a bachelor ’s 
degree in nursing/ midwifery, duly recognized by 
the Council and HEC, with seven years ’ 
experience. 
 
Experience in nursing, midwifery education, 
administration, or quality assurance may be 
preferred. 
 
Provided that the seat shall be ro tated among 
provinces and regions in alphabetical order for one 
complete term of the Council. 
Nominated Member 
(g) 
Three members appointed by the Prime Minister 
on the recommendation of the Division concerned, 
from whom one member shall be a 
 
 
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 (i) Legal Professional  of known integrity and 
eminence with a minimum of fifteen years of 
experience as a practicing lawyer; 
Nominated Member 
 (ii) Chartered Accountant of known integrity and 
eminence with a minimum of ten years of 
experience in the field of accountancy or finance; 
and 
Nominated Member 
(iii) Philanthropist from civil society  having a 
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of fifteen years 
of experience working with or being a member of 
the board of a well -reputed, known integrity and 
eminent CSO or NGO, preferably working in the 
health sector. 
Nominated Member 
 
Provided that at least thirty-three percent representation of the Council shall be women. 
(2) The Council established shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and  a common 
seal with powers to enter into contracts, purchase, hold, and dispose of properties and sue or be sued by its 
name. 
(3) No member mentioned at S. No. (f) to (h) in sub -section (1) shall be appointed, if there are any 
disciplinary or criminal proceedings pending against him or removed or dismissed or penalized from any 
service or convicted or declared unsound or insane by a court of competent jurisdiction. 
(4) No person shall be eligible for membership of the Council if he has a confli ct of interest as 
prescribed under the Rules: 
Provided that the maximum age for a member of the Council shall be sixty-six years. 
(5) Every nominated member of the Council shall, before assumption of office, and thereafter 
annually on and before the first day of July, submit to the Division concerned and the President of the 
Council a declaration of assets in the prescribed form and manner. 
(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Prime Minister, on the recommendation of 
the Division concerne d, may remove or disqualify all or any member of the Council, on the following 
ground(s):- 
(a)  misconduct, fraud, corruption, and unsatisfactory performance; 
(b)  inability to perform duties due to physical or mental incapacity; 
(c)  conviction by a court; 
(d)  declared by any court as an insolvent; 
(e)  conflict of interest in the manner prescribed under the Rules; 
(f)  not being a citizen of Pakistan; and 
 
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(g)  acting in contravention of the provisions of this Act: 
Provided that the actions against the members shall be completed within a period of ninety days. 
(7) The positions for members of the Council shall be honorary. However, the Council may prescribe 
the remuneration payable to a member for attending a meeting. 
(8) Any ex officio member appointed by virtue of his office shall cease to be a member on vacating 
such office. 
5. Powers of the Council.—The powers of the Council shall be to: — 
(i)  grant license and regulate registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nurse 
practitioner, midwife, and midwifery associate practice in Pakistan; 
(ii)  grant registration, maintain and update the register of registered nurses, clinical nurse 
specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwives, and midwifery associates; 
(iii)  prescribe the requirements of good  health and good character that an applicant is 
capable of safe and effective practice as a registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist, 
nurse practitioner, midwife, and midwifery associate for the satisfaction of the 
concerned committee of the Council; 
(iv)  require public, private, and non -government educational institutions and employers 
of registrants of the Council to promptly submit annual returns of registered nurses, 
clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwives, and midwifery 
associates in their employment and such other information as required by the Council 
for the purposes of this Act; 
(v)  assist and advise the Federal, Provincial, and regional governments on the 
formulation and implementation of policies related to nur sing and midwifery 
professions; 
(vi)  act on sound principles of professionalism and morality governed under the 
directives and policies of the Division concerned; 
(vii)  carry out licensing examinations for the grant of license to practice and to develop, 
revise, and update curricula for nursing institutions; 
(viii)  ensure that the right to prescribe drugs or medical devices may not be given to 
registered nurses, nurse specialists, midwives, or lady health visitors, except nurse 
practitioners as prescribed under the Rules; 
(ix)  evaluate and accredit institutions that provide education and training in nursing, 
midwifery, midwifery associate, and nursing auxiliary, and to cooperate with other 
accreditation bodies or institutions where necessary; 
(x)  designate nursing and midwifery programs, specialties, and categories; 
(xi)  determine the scope of practice for its registrants; 
 
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(xii)  set, monitor, and update— 
(a)  standards for education, clinical practice, professional conduct a nd 
institutional accreditation; 
(b)  conditions and policies for registration or license to practice; 
(c)  conditions and policies for enrolment into nursing and midwifery programs; 
(d)  conditions and policies for institutions offering nurs ing and midwifery 
programs; and 
(e)  continuous development programs for its registrants; 
(xiii)  formulate, revise, and update policies and to advocate and motivate government and 
private institutions to adopt changes in nursing, midwifery, midwifery associate, and 
nursing auxiliaries; 
(xiv)  establish committees for quality assurance, examination, accreditation, and 
curriculum development as deemed appropriate by the Council in consultati on with 
the concerned Division; 
(xv)  determine and receive fees, donations, grants, or any other financi al benefits or 
assistance from within or outside the country; 
(xvi)  prescribe minimum nursing standards for healthcare facilities employing nurses, 
nurse practitioners, midwives, midwifery associates, or nursing auxiliaries; 
(xvii)  collect, analyze, and disseminate information about nursing, midwifery, and lady 
health visitors ’ education, practice, and the nursing, midwifery, and l ady health 
visitors’ workforce; 
(xviii)  take steps for the welfare of nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwifery 
associates, or nursing auxiliaries; 
(xix)  alter, modify, or change the regulations of the Council with the appr oval of the 
Division concerned; 
(xx)  establish and maintain an Endowment Fund, linked with and forming a part of the 
Fund of the Coun cil, contributed annually by the nursing institution and healthcare 
facilities through a fee determined by the Council; 
(xxi)  make provisions for insurance cover for the students in nursing institutions, and 
nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwifer y associates, or nursing auxiliaries 
employed in healthcare facilities, and maintain a digital repository of the same; 
(xxii)  impose administrative penalties, including fines, suspension or cancellation of 
registration, recognition or accreditation, in accordance with this Act; 
 
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(xxiii)  establish, operate, and enforce digital identification, verification, and credentialing 
systems for students and registrants, including requirements for mandatory displ ay 
and verification mechanisms; 
(xxiv) appoint a regist ered Chartered Accountant Firm accredited by the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and having at least a “B” rating provided 
by the State Bank of Pakistan, along with a quality assurance certificate by ICAP; 
(xxv)  review, scrutinize, or withdraw, on the recommendations of inspectors maintained 
by the Council or on the directions of the Division concerned, all inspections 
authorized, approvals given, recognitions granted, registrations ordered, and 
certifications made earlier before the commencement of this Act; 
(xxvi)  approve the annual audited accounts duly audited by the Chartered Accountant Firm; 
(xxvii)  perform such functions for the purposes of this Act; 
(xxviii) recommend the changes or amendments in the Schedules u nder this Act to the 
Division concerned  
Provided that the Division concerned may also change or amend the schedules on its 
own; and 
(xxix)  make provisions for the execution of powers and continuity of the functions of the 
Council until the Rules and Regulations are framed under this Act. 
6. Functions of the Council.—Function of the council shall be to.— 
(i)  administer, manage, and run the affairs of the council efficiently and to appoint and 
remove staff and take such disciplinary action where necessary in the interests of the 
Council under the Rules; 
(ii)  properly maintain the records, minutes, and all documents pertaining to the affairs of 
the Council; 
(iii)  perform financial management, including maintenance of the accounts of the 
Council; 
(iv)  appoint an advisor, consultant, and other staff on such terms and conditions to such 
position as necessary for the efficient administration and management of the council 
with the approval of the Division concerned; 
(v)  co-opt or appoint a person who is not a member of the Council to advise the Council 
whenever required; 
(vi)  acquire, rent, let, hire or dispose of property, borrow money, accept and administer 
any trust or donation, and charge fees for any services of the Council for the purposes 
of the Act; 
 
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(vii)  conduct feasibility studies for advanced practice nurse curricula development, 
education, and experience required as per ICN guidelines, make and implement plans 
for the introduction of courses, career pathway for productive local and international 
employment; 
(viii)  conduct research in the nursing and midwifery sector; and 
(ix)  carry out all other actions connected and ancillary to the purposes of this Act. 
7. Term of office of members. —(1) A member of the Council, other than an ex officio  member, 
shall hold the office for a term of three years from the date of his notification by the Division concerned: 
Provided that the term of a member shall not exceed the term of the Council. 
(2) A nominated member may at any time submit his written, signed resignation to the President of 
the Council, and the seat of such member shall thereupon become vacant and his resignation shall take 
effect from the date on which it was tendered. 
(3) A nominated member shall be deemed to have vacated his seat,— 
(i)  on completion of his tenure of three years as provided in sub-section (1) without any 
further notification by the Division concerned; 
(ii)  ceases to hold any office or appointment by virtue of which h e was eligible to be 
nominated; 
(iii)  declared by t he Council to have been absent without sufficient cause from three 
consecutive meetings of the Council; 
(iv)  removed by the appointing authority as a member of the Council; 
(v)  if the nominating authority withdraws his or her nomination at any time; or 
(vi)  if any member does not disclose his conflict of interest as prescribed under the Rules 
or policy in vogue. 
(4) A nominated member shall be eligible for re-nomination but not for more than two consecutive 
terms. 
8. Casual Vacancies. —In case of a vacan cy of a member of the Council by death, resignation, 
disqualification, or removal under this Act, the Prime Minister shall appoint a person as a member in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act for the remainder of the term of the member who has died, 
resigned, disqualified, or removed, as the case may be. The vacancy shall not be filled if the remaining 
period thereof is less than four months. 
9. Vacancy not to invalidate proceedings. —No act or proceeding of the Council shall be invalid 
merely on the ground of the existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of the Council. 
 
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10. Meetings of the Council. — (1) The Council shall, for the purpose of transacting its  business, 
meet at least once every three months, at such time and place as the Council may deem fit or as the President 
of the Council may determine. 
(2) A special meeting of the Council may be called by the President at such time and places 
whenever required. 
(3) A written notice along with the agenda and the time and place of ea ch meeting shall be sent by 
post or courier or by modern electronic means that constitutes documentary proof of notice, such as an 
email, by the Secretary of the Council, provided he has no conflict of interest, to all the members at least 
seven days before the date fixed for such meeting: 
Provided that an emergency meeting may be called at twenty-four-hour notice. 
(4) One third of the total members shall form a quorum for the meeting of the Council. A member 
may participate in a meeting through digital mod e, and such participation shall be deemed to have formed 
the quorum. 
(5) The decision of the Council shall be taken by the majority of its members present and voting, 
and in case of a tie, the Chair of such meeting shall have a casting vote. 
(6) All orders, determinations, and decisions of the Council shall be taken in writing and shall be 
signed by the members of the Council present and voting physically or electronically in the meeting, 
including the Secretary of the Council. 
(7) The meetings of the Council shall normally be presided over by the President of the Council. In 
case the President is absent, the Vice President may preside with the approval of the President. 
11. President and Vice -President.—(1) The Minister -in-charge of the Division concerned shall 
appoint the President and the Vice-President of the Council from amongst the members. 
(2) The President and the Vice-President shall hold office for a period of three years or until removed 
from the office by the Minister -in-charge for any of the reasons mentioned in sub -section (5) Section 4. 
Their tenure shall not exceed the term of the Council. 
Provided that ex officio members, if appointed as President and Vice -President by the Minister-in-
charge, shall cease to hold the office of such positions upon vacation of their offices. 
(3) The President shall be the head of the Council and shall preside over all meetings of the Council. 
(4) The Vice -President shall act in the absence of the President and shall carry out any duties 
assigned to him by the President. 
12. Executive Committee. —(1) The Council shall, for its efficient functioning,  constitute an 
Executive Committee to meet frequently to oversee day to day functions, as determined by the Council. The 
executive committee shall be headed by the President, or Vice President only in the absence of the President, 
and four other members, including the Director General of Health, a Member legal Professional, a Member 
Chartered Accountant, and one member to be nominated by the Council. 
 
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(2) The Council may also constitute such other committees or sub-committees as it may deem fit or 
as advised by the Division concerned for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
(3) The decision of the Executive Committee or any other such committee or sub -committee may 
be reviewed by the Council. 
(4) The Executive Committee shall exercise and perform such powers and functions as are, or may 
be, conferred upon it by the Council and will report on its activities to the Council at every Council meeting. 
(5) The Executive Committee may co-opt any other member advised by the Division concerned. 
13. Office of the Council.—(1) The head office of the Council shall be in Islamabad. 
(2) The Council shall appoint a Director Human Resource, a Director Registration, a Director 
Education and Quality Assurance, and a Director IT to the Secretariat of the Council on such terms and 
conditions as it may determine with the prior approval of the Division concerned. 
(3) The Council may create a schedule of employees, re -designate or abolish posts, and determine 
salaries and benefits for them with the prior approval of the Division concerned. 
14. Innovation and Reforms Unit and Centres of Excellence. — (1) There shall be a  Nursing 
Innovation and Reforms Unit in the Division concerned and a Reforms Unit in the Council, established for 
the purpose of policy innovation, research and development, reforms, international cooperation, and 
strategic development in nursing and midwifery education, training. and workforce development and 
productive employment within and outside Pakistan. 
(2) The Nursing Innovation and Reforms Units shall, inter alia,— 
(i)  formulate and implement reform initiatives relating to nursing and midwifery 
education, training, research, and workforce planning; 
(ii)  facilitate the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoE) Nursing institutions, in 
collaboration with public and private stakeholders; 
(iii)  promote research, innovation, and development in nursing and midwifery education, 
clinical practice, service delivery models, and workforce management; 
(iv)  promote international linkages, faculty exchange, regulatory cooperation, and 
government-to-government collaboration; 
(v)  facilitate forward linkages, productive employment, and ethical export of nursing and 
midwifery human resources to other countries, including for the generation of foreign 
remittances for the country; 
(vi)  explore and support access to national and international nursing job markets and skill 
pathways; and 
(vii)  manage national and inter national grants and projects related to the progression of 
the nursing and midwifery profession. 
 
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(3) The Council shall grant recognition to the CoE Nursing institutions or such other institutions 
identified and recommended by the Division concerned in the province(s), autonomous regions and the 
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The CoE Nursing institutions shall,- 
(i)  have a minimum training capacity of two hundred students, w ith morning and 
evening shifts; 
(ii)  provide state-of-the-art education, training, research, and simulation facilities; 
(iii)  support career progression, productive employment, applied research, innovation, 
and international mobility of nursing personnel; and 
(iv)  shall take necessary steps to enable and facilitate the students to obtain Government 
scholarships, in accordance with the applicable laws, rules, and policy framework. 
(4) CoE nursing institutions shall be established, operated, or managed through long -term public-
private partnership, government -to-government cooperation,  outsourcing, concession agreements, 
contractual arrangements, build -operate-transfer arrangements, or any other mode of partnership, as the 
case may be, approved by the Division concerned. 
(5) The Division concerned may post or transfer any officer, official, reform manager, academician, 
information technology specialist, or any employee of the Council to the Nursing Innovation and Reforms 
Unit in the Division concerned or to the Reforms Unit in the Council for the purposes of this Act. 
15. Secretary. —(1) The Council shall appoint a Secretary with the approval of the Division 
concerned, on such terms and conditions as prescribed under the Rules for a period of three years, and shall 
be eligible for re-appointment based on key performance indicators and evaluation. The Secretary shall,- 
(i)  act under the direction of and report to the President and Council; 
(ii)  be responsible for the efficient management of the office of the council; 
(iii)  send out notices for the meetings to be held in consultation with the President, and 
shall record the minutes of all the meetings and send out notices along with the 
agenda items seven days before convening the meeting; 
(iv)  keep the President informed of all matters; and 
(v)  perform any other duties as specified by the President and the Council. 
(2) The Secretary shall be appointed through an open competitive process. The qualification shall 
be a Master ’s degree in nursing, public policy, administration, or equivalent degree duly recognized by 
HEC with ten years of experience in policy administration. 
(3) The appointment of the secretary shall be on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by 
rules. 
(4) The Division concerned, till the appointment of a regular incumbent, may post any officer, not 
below the rank of BPS-19 or equivalent, as Secretary of the Council. 
 
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16. Finance Director .—(1) There shall be a Director of Finance in the Council appointed on a 
regular basis by the Division concerned through a competitive and transparent process. 
(2) The Finance Director shall be responsible for the financial management, maintenance of proper 
accounts of funds of the Council, and shall ensure the annual audit by a duly appointed registered chartered 
accountant firm. 
(3) The Finance Director shall report all matters to the President and shall keep the Council informed 
of all important financial matters, and update the Council in its each meeting. 
(4) The Division concerned, till the appointment of a regular incumbent, may post any officer, not 
below the rank of BPS-19 or equivalent, as Director Finance of the Council.  
17. Officers and support Staff of the Council .— (1) The Council may appoint professionals, 
administrative support staff, consultants, or advisors, herein referred to as employees of the Council , on a 
regular or contract basis with the prior approval of the Division concerned as it may deem fit and prescribed 
under the Rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) Every employee of the Council, including members, advisors, consultants, and  every person 
acting or purporting to act under this Act, rules and regulations made thereunder, shall be deemed to be a 
public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (Act XLV of 1860). 
(3) The Council shall determine the terms and conditions of service and fix the pay and allowances 
of its employees as prescribed under the Rules. 
18. Provincial and Regional Nursing and Midwifery Board. —(1) The Council, in consultation 
with respective provincial and regional health departments, shall constitute Provincial and Regional Nursing 
and Midwifery Board(s), with such composition as it may determine. 
(2) The functions of the Boards shall be to hold examinations and to confer, grant or issue diplomas, 
certificates or other documents stating or implying that the holder, grantee or recipient thereof has acquired 
a qualification in nursing, midwifery, midwifery associate, public health nursing or auxiliary nursing. 
(3) The Board shall get verified pre-enrollment certificates from the relevant authority on a random 
basis. The Board shall verify from the issuing board of higher secondary and intermediate boards or 
authorities on a random basis each year and send a report to the Council. 
(4) If any document is found fake or forged, after a t horough inquiry, the student or any other 
beneficiary shall be debarred for life, and a warning letter shall be issued to the institution from where the 
enrolment has been sent. Further, penal action shall also be taken against the delinquent. A copy of su ch 
documents must be sent to the council. 
(5) A Board shall conduct its proceedings in such a manner as may be prescribed by the Regulations. 
(6) The provincial and regional boards constituted under sub -section (1) shall maintain their 
respective funds for discharging the functions defined under the Act. 
19. Recognition of institutions conducting educational courses or programs. —(1) Any 
institution aiming to conduct any degree, courses, or programs in nursing and midwifery shall apply to the 
 
Page 18 of 33 
 
council for its recognition, on a prescribed format and on payment of such fee as determined by the Council. 
The institution shall not commence any such course or program unless prior approval has been obtained 
from the Council. 
(2) For the purposes of inspection, evalua tion, and accreditation of institutions, the Council shall 
maintain a pool of well-reputed inspectors of known integrity, drawn from all Provinces and the Islamabad 
Capital Territory in the manner prescribed by the Council. 
(3) The inspectors included in the pool shall be selected by the President of the Council on the basis 
of prescribed criteria, including 
(i)  having a professional qualification in health sciences; 
(ii)  adequate experience in the healthcare system; 
(iii)  known integrity and reputation; and 
(iv)  absence of conflict of interest. 
(4) The Council shall utilize the services of inspectors for the purposes of inspection, evaluation, 
and accreditation of institutions on such remuneration as determined by the Council. The inspectors 
included in the pool may be assigned inter-provincial or intra-provincial inspections. 
(5) The institution making an application under sub -section (1) shall fulfill t he requirements 
provided below:—  
(i)  financial sustainability; 
(ii)  capacity to conduct the program applied for, by possessing: 
(a)  proper infrastructure; 
(b)  qualified number of faculty; and 
(c)  clinical facility. 
(iii)  satisfy the Council that it shall comply with the Rules, Regulations, policies, 
instructions, and minimum Standards as prescribed by the Council for public and 
private sector institutions, as the case may be. 
20. Inspection of Nursing Institution. — (1) The already recognized institutions shall be inspected 
through the inspection teams constituted from the pool of inspectors maintained by the Council under 
section 19: 
Provided that the Council may conduct re-inspection of the institutions, if deemed necessary. 
(2) The selected inspectors shall conduct biennial inspections of nursing and midwifery institutions, 
on charging an inspection fee as prescribed by the Council, and shall submit a comprehensive report on 
compliance to the Council with prescribed standards and the quality of education imparted, including 
confirmation of the continuity and consistency of  facilities and services declared to the inspectors at the 
time of the initial inspection and recognition. 
 
Page 19 of 33 
 
(3) The Council shall forward a copy of an inquiry or inspection report made under sub -section (2) 
to the institution concerned for responding to such observations within the period specified by the Council. 
(4) Upon the expiry of the period specified under sub-section (3), the Council may take actions under 
section 28. 
(5) The Council shall ensure transparency in its affairs, and implement such digita l processes, 
including maintaining its website, contents for right to information as covered under applicable law, sharing 
institutional facilities, applications of the in stitutions, inspections, acceptance and withdrawals of 
recognitions, or any other fun ctions of the Council and its reporting through Dashbo ards of the Division 
concerned. 
(6) The Division concerned may direct the Council for the inspection, grant of registration or 
accreditation of any nursing institution after due process. 
21. Appeal Agai nst the Decisions of the Council. —(1) Any aggrieved person or institution 
aggrieved by any decision of the Council may file an appeal before the Secretary of the Division concerned 
through an application, within a period of thirty days, clearly stating the reasons and justifications. 
(2) The Secretary may, if deemed appropriate, direct a special inspection and verification of the facts 
by a third party or team of experts so nominated by the Division concerned. 
(3) The decision of the Secretary of the Division concerned shall be final. 
(4) An appeal shall be subject to payment of a fee as determined by the Council. 
22. Random revisits.—(1) Throughout the year, all accredited institutions, universities, or degree-
awarding institutes and affiliating universitie s shall provide their data and information in respect of any 
changes in programs, students, teachers, available  facilities, infrastructure, and land or area for review by 
the council. 
23. Inspection of affiliating universities.— (1) The Council shall conduct biennial inspections of 
affiliating universities to ensure that such universities are duly performing their academic, examination, and 
affiliation functions in respect of nursing institutions recognized by the Council. 
(2) The Council shall further ensu re that all nursing institutions established, maintained or run by 
such universities, are maintained as state -of-the-art institutions and are fully compliant with all standards, 
requirements and facilities prescribed under this Act, including standards relating to infrastructure, faculty, 
laboratories, libraries, clinical training arrangements, student welfare, examination systems, quality 
assurance and any other nursing-related standards notified by the Council under this Act. 
(3) Any failure or deviation from the prescribed standards may result in suspension or cancellation 
of the affiliating status of the university for nursing and midwifery programs, suspension or cancellation of 
recognition of the nursing institution established, maintained or run by th e affiliating university itself, or 
such other action as the Council may deem appropriate as per prescribed regulations made under the rules, 
after affording an opportunity of hearing. 
24. Recognition of foreign qualification. —(1) After conducting the nati onal registration 
examination, if the Council is satisfied that a person holding a qualification granted by a nursing or 
 
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midwifery institution outside Pakistan, possesses sufficient knowledge and skill to be registered as a nurse 
or midwife for the purpose of this Act, may register him and their qualification. 
(2) The Council shall register the qualification granted by a nursing or midwifery institution outside 
Pakistan, possessed by a person maintaining a separate list in the register. 
(3) The Council may grant recognition to such post -graduate nursing or midwifery institutions 
outside Pakistan that either impart training or grant higher qualifications or both. All such recognized 
institutions or qualifications shall be included in the Third Schedule of thi s Act and may be updated from 
time to time. 
(4) The Council, for the reasons to be recorded in writing, may disqualify after evaluating the 
credentials of the foreign institution and the qualification granted by them. 
(5) If any post -graduate nursing or midwifery institution outside Pakistan that imparts training or 
grants additional nursing or midwifery qualifications or both, intends to get recognition of the institution, it 
shall apply to the Council for recognition. If an institution wishes to only train for a recognized postgraduate 
qualification in any specialty, it shall also apply to the qualification awarding body, and after consultation 
and approval of the Council, the institution shall be added in the Third Schedule to this Act, declaring it as 
a recognized postgraduate institution. 
(6) The Council shall evaluate any higher qualifications granted by suc h foreign institutions and 
may,— 
(a)  recognize and include in the Third Schedule; or 
(b)  notify only and shall not be included in the Third schedule; however, a separate li st 
thereof shall be maintained. 
25. Certification of certain persons in possession of recognized qualification. —(1) Where an 
application is made by a person who is qualified from an institution outside Pakistan having relevant 
experience, the Council shall satisfy itself that such a person possesses qualifications not inferior to a 
recognized qualification with the certification of the HEC that such a person possesses qualifications 
making him eligible for a recognized qualification. 
(2) A person in favor of whom a certificate under sub-section (1) has been granted shall be deemed 
to be possessed of a recognized qualification for the purposes of this Act. 
26. Effect of recognition.—Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being 
in force,— 
(a)  a person possessing a recognized qualification shall be entitled to be enrolled in the 
register; 
(b)  a person possessing a recognized higher qualification shall be entitled to have such 
qualification entered as a supplementary qualification in the register; and 
(c)  no person shall, after the commencement of this Act, be entitled,— 
 
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(i)  to be enrolled in the register as a nurse, midwife, health visitor, public health 
nurse, or nursing auxiliary unless such person possesses  a recognized 
qualification; or 
(ii)  have any of his qualifications that are not a recognized higher qualification 
entered as an advanced professional qualification in the register. 
27. Institutions to furnish information required by the Council. — Every institution or authority 
which conducts any educational programs for the purpose of preparing candidates for any recognized 
qualification or recognized higher qualification, or applies for the recognition of any qualifications granted 
by it in the fields of nursing, midwifery, or midwifery associate, shall furnish to the Council, such 
information as it may, from time to time, require relating to — 
(a)  the educational programs; 
(b)  examinations conducted during such educational programs; 
(c)  the ages at which admissions are allowed to such courses of study and training; 
(d)  clinical setting and beds pertaining to the education Program; or 
(e)  any other matter generally pertinent to the requirements for its recognition. 
28. Withdrawal of Recognition. — (1) After considering a report submitted under Section 20, the 
Council may hold the opinion that,— 
(i)  the educational program required to be undergone for obtaining a recognized 
qualification or recognized higher qualification, or conditions for admission to such 
courses o f study or training, or the standa rds of proficiency acquired by the 
candidates at the examinations held by the Board, are not in conformity with, or fall 
short of the standards required by, the regulations, or 
(ii)  that an institution recognized by the Council for the education of nu rses, midwives, 
midwifery associates, or nurse auxiliaries does not satisfy the prescribed 
requirements as to educational program  for continuing recognized qualifications or 
recognized higher qualifications. 
             The Council shall send a statement to that effect, clearly stating the reasons for non -
recognition to the institution concerned or requiring submissions within a specified period. 
(2) Upon the expiry of the period specified under clause (b) of sub -section (1), the Council, after 
considering the explanation of the institution, shall take such steps, including temporary suspension of 
recognition, as may be necessary to ensure compliance by the institution with the requirements of this Act 
and regulations made thereunder. 
(3) The temporary suspension may not exceed six months, allowing the institution to rectify the 
deficiencies reported in the inspection. 
(4) Without prejudice to any steps that may be taken by it under sub -section (2) with respect to an 
institution, the Council may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare that any qualification granted 
 
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by such institution which is a recognized qualification or a recogni zed higher qualification shall, if it is 
granted after a date specified in the notification, ceases to be recognized qualification or, as the case may 
be, a recognized higher qualification. 
(5) The Council may, by notification in the official Gazette, decl are that any qualification granted 
outside Pakistan which is a recognized qualification or a recognized higher qualification shall, if it is granted 
after a date specified in the notification, cease to be a recognized qualification or, as the case may be, a 
recognized higher qualification. 
29. Maintenance of Database. — The Council shall maintain the following digital database for 
national nursing and midwifery human resources,— 
(a)  pre-registration; 
(b)  registration; 
(c)  faculty registration; 
(d)  good standing certificates; and 
(e)  nursing staff working in foreign countries: 
Provided that the Council shall maintain and verify the CNIC and all other necessary credentials of 
a person registered and licensed by the Council, and carry out biometrics of all  persons registered, and 
maintain the updated information of where each person registered and licensed under the Act is working. 
Such information shall be shared by the Council with the Division concerned and the respective healthcare 
commissions, as and when required. 
30. Digital identification, verification, and digitization cost. — (1) The Council shall issue a 
digitally verifiable identification card incorporating a quick response (QR) code or any other secure digital 
identifier to all nurses, nurse prac titioners, midwives, midwifery associates, and nursing auxiliaries 
registered or licensed by the Council and working in any healthcare facility or any other place. 
(2) Every person issued an identification card under sub -section (1) shall wear or visibly d isplay 
such card at all times while present in a nursing institution, healthcare facility, or any place of professional 
engagement. 
(3) Every institution recognized, accredited, or regulated by the Council shall not permit any 
registrant to perform academic, clinical, or professional duties without such identification. 
(4) The Council shall maintain a central digital system for verification of credentials through 
scanning of the identification card for the purposes of authentication, monitoring, and public safety. 
31. Maintenance of the Register. —The Council shall, for the purpose of registration of nurses, 
midwives, midwifery associates and nursing auxiliaries possessing recognized qualifications or recognized 
higher qualifications, maintain a register, which shall enter such particulars relating to the persons registered 
as may be prescribed under Regulations. 
 
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32. Procedure for Registration.—Any person possessing a recognized qualification or recognized 
higher qualification, who is not disqualified for registration, may make an application, accompanied by the 
prescribed fee, for registration of his name in the register to the Council. 
(2) The Council shall, if it is satisfied that the applicant possesses a recognized qualification or 
recognized higher qualification and it is not disqualified for registration, register the name of the applicant 
in the register. 
(3) No application under sub -section (1) shall be rejected except after giving the applicant an 
opportunity of being heard. 
33. National Registration E xamination.—The Council, as per the schedule approved by it, shall 
conduct the NRE for Pakistani foreign graduate students having obtained an undergraduate nursing or 
midwifery qualification, including internship issued by a foreign university or by a foreign institution duly 
recognized by the Council. Passing the NRE shall be mandatory for obtaining a full registration. The NRE 
shall be designed in the manner as prescribed under the rules. 
34. National Licensing Examination. —(1) The Council shall conduct t he NLE at as per the 
schedule approved by it. 
(2) On graduation, the Council shall issue a provisional license for one year. 
(3) Passing the NLE shall be mandatory for obtaining a full license: 
Provided that there shall be no limit on the number of attempt s for a person to appear in the NLE 
and at any time: 
Provided further that the Council shall implement the NLE within a period of two years from the 
commencement of this Act. 
(4) The Council shall formulate the examination structure and standards of the NLE for the grant of 
a provisional license upon completion of undergraduate training, and to set up and authorize a committee 
of not less than three persons to formulate the examination papers of the NLE for approval of the Council 
in a manner prescribed under the Rules for all bachelor’s degrees. 
(5) All universities and Boards shall, within ten days of students having successfully completed the 
program of study and passed their final exanimations, inform the Council of the results to enable the students 
to be registered for taking the NLE. 
(6) Any registrant who has obtained a license to practice in any foreign country after having qualified 
from Pakistan or from a foreign insti tution recognized by the Council and does not hold a postgraduate 
qualification recognized by the Council shall be required to qualify for the NLE for the grant of a full license 
to practice in Pakistan: 
Provided that a registrant who has obtained a licens e to practice in a foreign country or qualified 
from a foreign institution, but has acquired a postgraduate qualification in Pakistan or from a foreign 
institution recognized by the Council, shall not be required to qualify for the NLE  and shall be granted  a 
full license to practice on the basis of the recognized postgraduate qualification. 
 
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35. Renewal of License.— (1) The Council shall renew a license granted to a registrant subject to 
compliance with recognized standards and competencies after passing the  prescribed training courses and 
the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program. 
(2) The Council shall prescribe training courses and a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) 
Program to be completed for renewal of the license. 
36. Removal of name from the Register.— (1) The Council may, if it is satisfied that a person has, 
after his registration, become disqualified for such registration, remove the name of such person from the 
register, in a manner prescribed, whereupon such person shall cease to be a registrant: 
Provided that no name shall be so removed except after giving the person affected an opportunity 
of being heard. 
(2) Council shall maintain the lists of qualified and disqualified registrants on its website. 
(3) The Council may, at any time for reason to be recorded in writing, restore in the register the 
name of any person who has been removed therefrom under sub-section (1). 
37. Disqualification for Registration. —A person shall be disqualified for regis tration in the 
register, if he— 
(a)  has been convicted of any offence under this Act or of any other offence which in 
the opinion of the Council, implies a defect of character; or 
(b)  has, at any enquiry held by the Council in which the person was given a reasonable 
opportunity of b eing heard, been found guilty of such conduct as is considered 
derogatory to his profession in accordance with the Regulations. 
38. Prohibition of employment of unregistered nurses, etc.—No healthcare facility shall employ 
therein any person as nurse, midwife, midwifery associate or nursing auxiliary unless such person,— 
(a) is registered in the register; or  
(b)  is a trainee at an institution recognized for the purpose by the Council and is certified 
by the head of that institution to have already received su fficient training to be able 
to perform his duties safely and satisfactorily. 
39. Nursing standards in healthcare facilities.—(1) The Council shall prescribe minimum nursing 
standards for healthcare facilities employing nurses, nurse practitioners, midwife ry associates, or nursing 
auxiliaries, including standards relating to,— 
(i)  nursing management and supervisory structures; 
(ii)  nursing quality assurance, patient safety, and clinical governance; 
(iii)  induction training, in -service training, and continuing professional development of 
nursing personnel; 
(iv)  staffing levels, duty rosters, and working conditions for nursing personnel; 
 
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(v)  employment-related benefits for nursing personnel, including wages, leave, social 
security, and employees’ old-age benefits coverage, where applicable; and 
(vi)  performance evaluation, grievance redressal, and professional developm ent of 
nursing personnel. 
(2) Every healthcare facility shall maintain and submit to the Council, in such form and at such 
intervals as may be determined by the Council, information and documentation demonstrating compliance 
with the nursing standards prescribed under sub-section (1). 
40. Insurance coverage for nursing personnel and students. —(1) Every nursing institution 
recognized or accredited by the Council shall ensure that all enrolled students, including pre -enrolled 
students, are covered by appropri ate health and accidental insurance for the duration of their training and 
education. 
(2) Every healthcare facility engaging nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, midwifery associates, 
or nursing auxiliaries shall ensure that such personnel are covered by  adequate health, life, and accidental 
insurance, in accordance with standards determined by the Council. 
(3) The cost of insurance coverage for students may be recovered by the nursing institution as part 
of tuition or admission-related fees, in such manner as may be determined by the Council; and the cost of 
insurance coverage for nursing personnel shall be borne by the healthcare facility, as the case may be. 
(4) Every healthcare facility and nursing institution shall maintain records of insurance covera ge 
and shall submit evidence of compliance to the Council annually. 
41. Offences and penalties. —(1) Any person who commits an offence under this Act, or 
contravenes any provision of this Act, the rules or regulations made thereunder, shall be punishable in  
accordance with the Fourth and Fifth Schedules. 
(2) The Court of Sessions shall, in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 (Act V of 
1898), try the offences mentioned in the fourth schedule, which shall be amended by the Council with the 
approval of the Division concerned. 
(3) The Council shall take cognizance of the offences mentioned in the fifth schedule, which shall 
be amended by the Council with the approval of the Division concerned. 
42. Quarterly report.— (1) The Council shall submit a quarterly report to the National Assembly 
Standing Committee and to the Division concerned covering the conduct of its affairs and shall also display 
it on its website by the end of September each year. 
(2) The Division concerned may, at any time, require the Council to furnish it with— 
(i)  a report on any subject with which the Council is concerned; 
(ii)  any return, statement, statistics, or other information regarding any matter under the 
control of the Council; or 
(iii)  a copy of any document in the charge of the Council, and the Council shall comply 
with every such requisition, and the Council shall be bound to act thereon. 
 
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43. Appellate Authority. —The Secretary of the Division concerned shall be the Appellate 
Authority for the offences menti oned in the Fifth Schedule of this Act, and any appeal or representation 
provided under this Act shall lie to him within thirty days of any impugned decision of the Council. 
44. Commission of Inquiry. —(1) The Division Concerned, upon receipt of any informa tion or 
complaint or on its own motion, may constitute a Commission of Inquiry headed by an officer of the 
Division concerned not below the rank of Joint Secretary and one member, an expert in the subject matter. 
The commission shall, for the purpose of this Act, have the same power as vested in a Civil Court under the 
Court of Civil Procedure 1908 (Act V of 1908) to conduct the proceedings relating to the following:- 
(i) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; 
 
(ii) compelling the production of a document, including any digital evidence; 
(iii)      receiving evidence on affidavits; and 
(iv)      issuing a commission for the examination of witnesses. 
(2) The Commission shall fix the responsibility within ninety days of the inquiry and shall submit a 
report to the Secretary of the Division concerned, who shall be authorized to take disciplinary action against 
the employees of the Council under Efficiency and Disciplinary Rules applicable to the Council. 
(3) Upon receiving the report from the Commission, the Secretary of the Division concerned may 
advise the Council to withdraw the recognition or accreditation of such institutions that obtained their 
recognition or accreditation fraudulently or are running the same without legal procedures as prescribed 
under the Act, rules, or regulations: 
Provided that such advice of the Secretary of the Division concerned shall be binding upon the 
Council. 
(4) The Council shall provide the secretariat support to the Commission of Inquiry: 
Provided that no inquiry shall be ordered by the Division concerned on a false, frivolous, baseless, 
or anonymous complaint or information. The Commission of Inquiry shall, before proceeding with the 
complaint, satisfy itself with regard to the genuineness and authenticity of the complaint. 
45. Directives from the Division concerned. —The Division concerned may, from time to time, 
issue to the council such policies, directives, and instructions as it may consider necessary for carrying out 
the purposes of this Act, and the Council shall be bound to act thereon. 
46. Reporting, dissemination, and confidentiality of data. —The real -time data, information, 
SOPs, guidelines, and reports as produced by the council shall be reported and regularly placed and updated 
on its public website for wider dissemination and sharing, in English and the national language, to keep the 
public informed. 
47. Action done in good faith.— (1) No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Division 
concerned, Council, or any other committee constituted so, inspection teams, advisers, consultants, staff, 
and officers, or other persons appointed by the Council for anything done in good faith in the execution or 
purported execution of this Act, rules, or regulations made thereunder. 
 
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(2) No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Council for any damage caused or likely 
to be caused for anything which is done with due care in good faith or intended to be done in pursuance of 
the provisions of this Act. 
48. Fund of the Council.—(1) There shall be established a fund to be known as the Pakistan Nursing 
and Midwifery Council Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Fund, which shall vest in the Council and shall 
be utilized by the Council to meet charges and expenses in connection with the affairs of the Council. 
(2) The Fund shall consist of, — 
(i)  such sums, grants received from the Government or any other source; 
(ii)  donations from domestic and international donor agencies and other institutions; 
(iii)  grants of money and sums borrowed or raised by the Council for the purposes of 
meeting any of its obligations or discharging any of its duties; 
(iv)  fees, penalties, fines, or other charges imposed under this Act; and 
(v)  all other sums which may in any manner become payable to or vested in the Council 
in respect of any matter incidental to the exercise of its functions and powers. 
(3) The Council shall be responsible and accountable for management and disbursement of 
expenditure from the Funds, including the use of assets as prescribed under the Rules and such procedures 
defined in Regulations. 
49. Endowment Fund. —(1) There shall be established an Endowment Fund, linked with and 
forming part of the Fund of the Council, to be known as the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council 
Endowment Fund. 
(2) The Endowment Fund shall be utilized exclusively for purposes including— 
(i)  development and strengthening of international linkages and cooperation; 
(ii)  faculty exchange programs, fellowships, and capacity-building initiatives; 
(iii)  regulatory collaboration and exchange with foreign nursing and  midwifery councils 
and bodies; 
(iv)  facilitation of memoranda of understanding, international agreements, and regulatory 
exchanges; 
(v)  promotion, exchange, and export of nursing and midwifery human resource potential 
of Pakistan; and 
(vi)  provision of scholarships, educational support, and financial assistance to deserving, 
needy, and talented students enrolled in nursing and midwifery programs, in such 
manner as may be determined by the Council. 
(3) Every institution recognized, accredited, or regulated by the Council shall make an annual 
contribution to the Endowment Fund in such amount and manner as may be determined by the Council. 
 
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(4) Any institution organizing conferences, seminars, workshops, or similar academic or 
professional events relating to nursing or midwifery shall deposit a prescribed proportion of the revenue or 
collection generated from such events into the Endowment Fund. 
(5) The Endowment Fund shall be administered, managed, and accounted for by the Council as part 
of its Fund, subject to audit and financial oversight in accordance with this Act. 
(6) The Council shall ensure transparency in the utilization of the Endowment Fund and shall include 
a separate statement of its receipts and expenditures in its annual report. 
(7) Where any institution fails to make the required contribution to the Endowment Fund within the 
prescribed time, the Council may, after affording an opportunity of being heard,- 
(i)  suspend or cancel the registration, recognition, or accreditation of such  institution 
under this Act; or 
(ii)  recover the outstanding amount as arrears of land revenue in ac cordance with the 
relevant law. 
(8) The remedies provided under sub-section (7) shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any 
other action that may be taken under this Act. 
(9) The Council shall be responsible and accountable for management and disbursement of 
expenditure from the Funds as prescribed under the Rules and such procedures defined in Regulations. 
50. Power to make regulations. —The Council shall make regulations for carrying out the purposes 
of this Act, subject to approval of the Division concerned, inter alia,— 
(i)  management of the property of the C ouncil and the maintenance and audit of its 
accounts;  
(ii)  summoning and holding of the meetings of the Council or of a Board, the conduct of 
business thereof, and the number of members necessary to constitute a quorum; 
(iii)  the functions of the Executive Committee, the summoning and holding of meetings 
thereof, the times and places at which such meetings shall be held, and the number 
of members necessary to constitute a quorum; 
(iv)  the conditions for admission to courses of training as aforesaid; 
(v)  procedure and timelines for inspection, accreditation, and recognition of the public 
and private sector nursing institutions reporting thereof; 
(vi)  the standards of examination and other requirements to be satisfied for the declaration 
of any qualification as a recognized qualification or recognized higher qualification; 
and 
(vii)  any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed. 
 
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51. Powers to make Rules — (1) The Federal Government, with the consultation of the Division 
concerned, may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act inter alia,— 
(i)  the powers and duties of the President and the Vice-President; 
(ii)  scope of practice for its registrants, including regulating the practice of nurses, 
midwives, midwifery associates, and nursing auxiliaries, and for prohibiting persons 
not registered in the register from so practicing; 
(iii)  fees to be charged for registration or for any other purpose of the Act; 
(iv)  fees for recognition of any institution or authority; 
(v)  a code of p rofessional conduct and standard for practice and education for Nurses, 
Midwives, and midwifery associates; 
(vi)  the functions of the Nursing and Midwifery provincial and regional Boards; 
(vii)  terms and conditions of service, the pay and allowances of the officers and servants, 
and the powers and dutie s of the officers and supportive staff of the Council in 
conformity with the federal government pay and scale for the autonomous bodies; 
(viii)  financial and funds management of the council; 
(ix)  procedure for removing all or any member of the Council; 
(x)  prescribing conflict of interest; and 
(xi)  any matter connected or ancillary to this Act. 
52. Removal of difficulties.—If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this Act, 
the Federal Government, through the Division concerned, may make such orders not inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act as may appear to it to be necessary for the purpose of removing such difficulty. 
53. Repeal and Saving.—(1) The Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 1973 (Act No. XXVI of 1973) as 
amended from time to time, and Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025, and any 
regulations or bye -laws made under the said Act or Ordinance and were in force immediately before the 
commencement of this Act are hereby repealed. 
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the said Act and Ordinance.- 
(i)  the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council constituted under the Pakistan Nursing 
and Midwifery Council Ordinance, 2025 (Ordinance No IX of 2025), and functioning 
immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have been 
constituted under this Act to the extent of Section 4 of this Act and shall continue to 
function as per the composition already notified; 
(ii)  any scheme of reciprocity settled under the said Act or Ordinance and subsisting 
immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in force and be 
deemed to be a scheme of reciprocity settled under the said Acts; 
 
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(iii)  any register of nurses, midwives, health visitors, and nursing auxiliaries which was 
maintained immediately before the commencement of the said Act or Ordinance 
under the said Act, and the persons registered in such register shall be deemed to be 
the register-maintained persons registered therein under this Act; 
(iv)  any qualification entered as a supplementary qualification in any register under the 
said Act or Ordinance shall be deemed to be the supplementary qualification entered 
in the register under this Act, notwithstanding  that such qualification is not a 
recognized higher qualification; 
(v)  subject to the administrative scrutiny, any employee of the Pakistan Nursing and 
Midwifery Council appointed under the said Act or Ordinance, through due process 
of law and procedure, shall be deemed to be an employee appointed  by the Council 
under this Act; 
(vi)  all assets, rights, powers, authorities and privileges and all property, movable and 
immovable, and all interests therein and all deb ts, liabilities and obligations  of the 
Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council constituted under the said Acts and 
subsisting immediately before the commencement of this Act shall stand transferred 
to, and be deemed to be the assets, rights, powers, authorities, privilege, property and 
interests of the Council established under this Act; 
(vii)  any action taken or any proceeding commenced under any of the provisions of the 
said Act or Ordinance shall continue in force and be deemed to have been done, 
taken, or commenced under the corresponding provision of this Act; and 
(viii)  subject to the administrative scrutiny by the Division concerned, any decisions taken 
by the Council in the past, in good faith and with proven due diligence, before the 
commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be decisions taken under this Act. 
  
 
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The First Schedule 
[see section 2 (xxi, xxii)] 
Recognized Qualification 
(1)  Bachelor’s in Nursing: Four-year Degree Course 
(2)  Post RN Bachelor’s in Nursing: Two-year Degree Course 
(3)  Master’s in Nursing (MSN): Two-year Degree Course 
(4)  Doctorate in Nursing: Four years Degree course 
(5)  Post Basic Specialization: l  year diploma course in different disciplines, e.g. Cardiac Care Nursing, 
Oncology Nursing, etc. 
(6)  Midwifery Associate 
(i)  Lady Health Visitor (LHV): Twenty-seven months Diploma Course 
(ii)  Community Midwife (CMW): Two-year Diploma Course 
(iii)  Associate Degree: (LHV) Two-year Course 
(iv)  Associate Midwifery Degree: Two-year Midwifery Course 
(v)  Female welfare worker: two-year program 
(7)  Post Associate Bachelor’s Degree for (LHV): Two-year Degree Course 
(8)  Post Associate Midwifery Degree (RM): Two-year Midwifery degree Course 
(9)  Nursing auxiliary 
(i)  Certified Nursing Assistant 
(ii)  Health Caregiver one-year Diploma Course 
(iii)  Any other discipline as deemed appropriate by the Council. 
 
************ 
The Second Schedule 
     [see Section 18] 
Recognized Institutions 
   ************ 
          The Third Schedule 
             [see Section 22] 
Registered Foreign Qualification 
 
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The Fourth Schedule 
[See section 41] 
 
Offence Cognizable by the Court of Sessions 
Sr. 
No. 
Offence Punishment 
(a) Any person procuring or attempting to 
procure registration by making or causing to 
be made any false or fraudulent statement, 
representation, or declaration 
Imprisonment of either description for a 
term which may extend to six months, or 
fine which may extend up to Rs. 500,000, 
or both. 
(b) Representing oneself as a registered nurse, 
midwife, midwifery associate, or n ursing 
auxiliary without being registered, or using 
any title, word, or letter intended to imply 
such registration 
Imprisonment of either description for a 
term which may extend to one year, or fine 
which may extend up to one million 
rupees but not less th an one hundred 
thousand rupees, or both 
(c) Practicing as a nurse, midwife, midwifery 
associate, or nursing auxiliary in 
contravention of this Act, rules, or 
regulations 
Imprisonment of either description for a 
term which may extend to two years, or a 
fine which may extend up to one million 
rupees but not less than one hundred 
thousand rupees, or both 
(d) Repetition of the same offence more than  
three times 
Suspension or cancellation of registration 
or license, in addition to punishment as 
mentioned in clause (c) of this Schedule. 
(e) Issuing, selling, awarding, or offering 
forged or unauthorized nursing or 
midwifery qualifications, or falsely 
representing such qualifications as 
recognized. 
Imposing a fine on the institution, which 
may extend to Rs. 2,000,000. 
 
  
 
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The Fifth Schedule 
[see Section 41] 
 
Offences Cognizable by the Council 
Sr. No. Offence Punishment 
(a) Any institution fails to make the 
required contribution to the 
Endowment Fund of the Council 
within the specified period of time, 
and after affording an opportunity to 
be heard. 
Temporary suspension of the 
registration, recognition, or accreditation 
of such institution initially for a period of 
three (03) months. In c ase of continued 
contravention, it may lead to permanent 
cancellation. 
(b) Intentionally or knowingly not 
providing insurance cover to the 
students of the recognized nursing 
institutions and engaging nurses, 
nurse practitioners, midwives, 
midwifery associ ates, or nursing 
auxiliaries at healthcare facilities as 
per Section 40 of the Act. 
Cancellation or suspension of 
registration or recognition of the nursing 
institution, and imposition of a fine not 
exceeding PKR 500,000 on the 
healthcare facility or nursing institution, 
or both. 
(c) Any institution seeking or attempting 
to seek recognition by making or 
causing to be made any false or 
fraudulent statement or representation 
Imposing a fine of not exceeding twenty-
five hundred thousand on the institution 
(d) Establishing, operating, or 
advertising any nursing or midwifery 
institution, or admitting students 
therein, without recognition, 
registration or accreditation from the 
Council, or by using false 
representation of such authorization 
shall be punishable with a fine which 
may extend to ten million rupees but 
shall not be less than three million 
rupees, and the institute concerned shall 
be liable to closure for a period which 
may extend to two years but shall not be 
less than one year, or with both. 
 
 
_____________ 
 
 
 
RGN Dated: 03-07-2026