Regulation of Mines and Oil Fields and Mineral Development (Federal Control) Act, 1948

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 THE REGULATION OF MINES AND OIL­FIELDS AND 
MINERAL DEVELOPMENT (GOVERNMENT CONTROL) ACT, 
1948. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Power to make rules 
3. Penalties etc 
3 A. Production sharing agreement 
3B. Concessions to petroleum exploration companies 
4. Effect of rules etc, inconsistent with other enactments 
5. Power to exempt 
6. Definitions of appropriate Government  
SCHEDULE. 
 
  
 

 
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THE REGULATION OF MINES AND OIL­FIELDS AND MINERAL 
DEVELOPMENT (GOVERNMENT CONTROL) ACT, 1948. 
1ACT NO. XXIV OF 1948 
[8th January, 1949] 
An Act to make provision for certain matters connected with the regulation of mines and oil­fields 
and mineral development. 
WHEREAS it is expedient to make provision for certain matters connected with the regulation 
of mines and oil­fields and mineral development under 2[Government Control]; 
AND WHEREAS it appears to the 3[Federal Government] to be expedient in the public interest  
to make such provision to the extent hereinafter appearing; it is hereby enacted as follows:__ 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. __ (1) This Act may be called the Regulation 
of Mines and Oil­fields and Mineral Development 2[Government Control] Act, 1948. 
4[(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.] 
(3) It shall come into force on such date3 as the 3[Federal Government] may, by notification in 
the official Gazette, appoint in this behalf. 
5* * * * * * * 
62. Power to make rules.  It is hereby declared to be expedient in the public interest that the 
7[appropriate Government] shall have power to make rules 8 to provide for all or any of the following 
matters, namely:__ 
 
 
1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gaz. of P., 1948, Pt. V, p. 127. 
The Act has been applied__ 
(i) to Baluchistan,  see Gaz. of P., 1949,  Pt. I, p. 408; 
(ii) in the Federated Areas of Baluchistan,  see ibid., Ext.,1950, p. 512; 
(iii) to the excluded  areas of West Pakistan,  with effect from the 21st March, 1956 see Gazette of West Pakistan,  1956,  Ext., p. 239; and 
(iv) to the Special Areas of West Pakistan, with effect from the 22nd March, 1956, see ibid., p. 243.  
It has been extended  to­ 
(a) the Leased Areas of Baluchistan,  see the Leased Areas (Laws) Order, 1950 (G. G. O. 3 of 1950);  
(b) the Baluchistan States  Union, see the Baluchistan States  Union (Federal Laws) (Extension)  Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 4 of 1953);  
(c) the Khairpur  State,  see the Khairpur  (Federal Laws) (Extension)  Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 5 of 1953);  and 
(d) the State of Bahawalpur, see the Bahawalpur  (Extension  of Federal Laws) Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 11 of 1953).  
The Act has been and shall be deemed to have been brought into force in Gwadur with effect from the 8th September, 1958, by t he Gwadur (Application of Central Laws) 
Ordinance, 1960 (37 of 1960), s. 2. 
2 Subs. by A.O., 1964, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Federal Control”.  
3 Subs. by F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”.  
4
Subs. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch., for the original sub­section (2) (with effect from the 
14th October, 1955). 
5
Section IA, which was ins. by the Regulation of Mines and Oil fields Mineral Development (Federal Control) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1955: (31 of 
1955), s. 2, has since been lapsed. 
6
The Amendment in section 2, by Ord. 31 of 1955, s. 3, has since been lapsed. 
7
Subs. by A. O., 1964, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Central Government”. 
8For the Pakistan Petroleum (Production) Rules, 1949, see Gaz. of P., 1949, Ext., pp. 501­552; for the Natural Gas Rules, 1960, see ibid., 
1960 Ext., pp. 949­956; and for the Pakistan Mining Concession Rules, 1960, see ibid., pp. 1107­1166. 
9The 1st June, 1949, see Gaz. Of P.1949, I.P.246. 
  
 
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(1) the manner in which, and the authority to whom, application for the grant or renewal of 
an exploration or prospecting licence, a mining lease or other mining concession shall be made, and 
the prescribing of the fees to be paid on such application; 
(2) the conditions in accordance with which the grant or renewal of an exploration or 
prospecting licence, a mining lease or other mining concession may be made, and the prescribing of 
forms for the execution or renewal of such licence, lease, and concession; 
(3) the circumstances under which renewal of a licenc e, lease or concession as aforesaid 
may be refused, or any such licence, lease or concession whether granted or renewed may be revoked; 
(4) the determination of the rates at which and the conditions subject to which royalties, 
rents and taxes shall be paid by licensees, lessees and grantees of mining concessions; 
(5) the refinement of ores and mineral oils; 
(6) the control of production, storage and distribution of minerals and mineral oils; 
(7) the fixation of the prices at which minerals and mineral oils may be bought or sold; and 
(8) any matter ancillary or incidental to the matters set out in the foregoing clauses of this 
section, 
and the 1[appropriate Government] may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules 
accordingly. 
2[3. Penalties etc. Any rules made under section 2 may provide__ 
(a) that any powers and functions in relation to any of the matters referred to in that 
section may be exercised and performed, either generally or in specified cases, 
and in compliance with any general or specia l Instructions given by the 
3[Federal Government] in that behalf, by an officer or authority specified in the 
rules; and 
(b) that the breach of any of them shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term 
which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.]. 
4[3A. Production sharing agreement.__ (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other 
law or rules for the time being in force, the President may enter into an agreement with any company, 
whether incorporated in Pakistan or outside Pakista n, for the grant of a licence or lease to explore, 
prospect and mine petroleum on the basis of a Production Sharing Agreement and on such terms and 
conditions may be agreed upon between the Federal Government and the company. 
5
* * * * * * * 
53B. Concessions to petroleum exploration companies.__ (1)Notwithstanding anything contained 
in any other law for the time being in force, every company, whether incorporated in Pakistan or outside 
Pakistan, to whom a licence or a lease to explore, prospect and mine petroleum is granted under this Act, 
1Subs. by A. O., 1964, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Central Government”. 
2Subs. by the Regulation of Mines and Oil­fields and Mineral Development (Government Control) (Amdt.) Ordinance. 1971 (8 of 1971), s. 2. 
3Subs. by F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 
4Ins. by the Regulation of Mines and Oil­fields and Mineral Development (Government Control) (Amdt.) Act. 1976 (83 of 1976), s. 2. 
5The Original sub­section (2) omitted by the Finance Act. 1998 (3 of 1998), s. 2A. 
  
 
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not being a  company such as is referred to in sub­section (1) of section 3A, shall be entitled to the 
concessions specified in the Schedule in addition to any concessions for the time being admissible to 
it under any other law or the rules made under this Act. 
(2) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, amend the 
Schedule so as to add any concessions thereto or to improve any concessions therein.]. 
 
4. Effect of rules etc., inconsistent with other enact ments. Any rule made under this 
Act, and any order made under any such rule, shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent 
therewith contained in any enactment or in any instrument having effect by virtue of an enactment 
other than this Act. 
1* * * * * * * 
5. Power to exempt. The 2[appropriate Government] may, by notified order, declare that 
any mineral or mineral oil or any class or description thereof shall be exempt from all or any of the 
provisions of the rules made under this Act, or that such provisions shall apply thereto with such 
modification or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order. 
3[6. Definitions of appropriate Government. In this Act, “appropriate Government” means, 
in relation to mines of nuclear substances, oil­fields and gas fields, and development of such 
substances, mineral oil and gas, the 4[Federal Government] and, in relation to the other mines and 
mineral development, the Provincial Government.] 
5[SCHEDULE 
(See Section 3B) 
1. Any provisions of the rules made under section 2, or of any amendment in the 
6[Income­tax Ordinance, 1979 (XXXI of 1979)] hereinafter referred to as the 6[Ordinance] made after 
the effective date of an agreement for the grant of a licence or lease to explo re, prospect or mine 
petroleum, which are inconsistent with the terms of the agreement, shall not apply to the extent of such 
inconsistency to a company which is a party to the agreement. 
2. 7[In case of onshore Pakistan, royalty shall be charged at a fixed rate of twelve and half 
per cent of well­head value and income tax on profits or gains derived from petroleum operations shall 
be at the rate of forty per cent of profits and gains as determined and assessed in accordance with the 
provisions of the Incom e Tax Ordinance, 1979 (XXXI of 1979), and rules contained in Part I of the 
Fifth Schedule to the said Ordinance.] 
8[ The limit of the sum of payment to the Federal Government and taxes on income shall be 
fixed at the time of grant of the permit or licence in accordance with the Petroleum Policy of the Federal 
Government from the effective date of the permit or licence, as the case may be. Income from pipeline  
 
1Section 4A, which was ins. by the Regulation of Mines and Oil fields Mineral Development (Federal Control) (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1955 (31 of 1955), 
s. 4, has since been lapsed. 
2Subs. by A. O., 1964, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Central Government”. 
3Section 6 added ibid., 
4Subs. by F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 
5Ins. by the Regulation of Mines and Oil­Fields and Mineral Development (Government­Control) (amdt.) Act, 1976 (83 of 1976), s. 3. r 
6Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981, (27 of 1981), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. 
7Subs. by S.R.O. 698 (I)/2001, dt. 2­10­2001. 
8Added by S.R.O. 254 (I)/95, dated 29thMarch 1995, see Gaz. of P., 1995, Ext. Pt. II. pp. 450___452. 
 
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operations, the sale of LPG, CNG and from refined products, where such refined products  are 
produced from field due to their speci fic development needs (as approved by the Central Board of 
Revenue) shall be considered part of a licensee’s or lessee’s income under the said Schedule.]; 
 
1[3. Before commencement of commercial production of petroleum, any expenditure incurred 
by an undertaking of a licencee or lessee covered by the same or separate agreement with the Federal 
Government on searching for or on discovering and testing a petroleum deposit or winning access 
thereto, allocable to a surrendered area of areas and to drilling of a  dry hole, shall be  deemed to be 
lost at the time of the surrender of the area or the completion of the dry hole, as the case may be, for 
the purpose of the Fifth Schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance, 1979. Such lost expenditure shall be 
allowed to be set  off against the income of the undertaking of the licences or lessee covered by the 
same or separate agreement with the Federal Government or of other activities excluding income from 
dividends on fully consolidated basis in one of the two ways mentioned in sub­rules (2) and (3) of rule 
2 of the said Schedule.] 
4. In addition to the net profits, the amount charged in annual financial accounts on 
account of additional allowance admissible under rule 3 of the 2[Fifth Schedule to the Ordinance] and 
depreciation at such rate as may be agreed upon between the President and a licensee or lessee,  which 
is a company incorporated outside Pakistan, including its assignee, shall be allowed to be remitted and 
retained abroad, provided that the aggregate amount of such additional allowance and depreciation 
does not exceed an agreed percentage of the investment in assets on which depreciation is charged. 
3[5. The value of petroleum for the purposes of royalty and income tax shall be calculated 
on the basis provided for in the rules read with terms of any agreement entered into between the Federal 
Government and licencee or, as the case may be, the lessee, including their assignees.] 
6. The income derived by the licensee or lessee from the use of any surplus capacity of its 
pipeline by any other licensee or lessee shall be assessed on the same basis as its income from 
petroleum produced by it from its concession area. 
7. A licensee or lessee which is a company incorporated outside Pakistan, including its 
assignee shall be allowed to export its share of petroleum after meeting such portion of the internal 
requirement of Pakistan as may be agreed upon. 
8. Sale proceeds of the share of petroleum exported by a licensee or lessee which is a 
company incorporated outside Pakistan, including its assignee, shall be allowed to be retained abroad 
and to be used freely by it, subject to the condition that it shall bring back such portion of these proceeds 
as is required to meet its obligations under the 3[licencee or, as the case may be,] lease. 
3[9. Concession available in respect of import duties, licence or authorization fees shall be as 
are specified in Notification Nos. S.R.O. 336 (I)/94, dated the 26th April, 1994, and S.R.O. 367 (I)/94, 
dated the 9th May, 1994 4[and S.R.O. 400 (I)/97, dated the 31st May, 1997]. and as amended from 
time to time. 
4* * * * * * * 
 
1Subs. by S.R.O. 291 (I)/87 dated 14th Aril 1987, see Gaz. of P., 1987, Ext. Pt. II, p. 442. 
2Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and 2nd Sch., 
3Subs. and Ins by S.R.O. 254 (I)/95, dated 29th March, 1995, see Gaz. of P., 1995, Ext., Pt. II, pp. 450-452. 
4Ins & omitted by S.R.O. 86 (KE)/ 2000, dated 27th April, 2000. 
  
 
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1[11. Foreign nationals employe d by the Operator, its contractors or sub­contractors or 
consultants shall be allowed to import commissary goods free of customs­duty, iqra surcharge, other 
surcharges and sales tax to the extent of one thousand two hundred United States Dollars (US $  1,200) 
per annum per employee or such greater amount as may be notified, from time to time, subject to the 
condition that the said goods shall not be sold or disposed of in Pakistan and no foreign exchange from 
Pakistan shall be incurred. 
1[12. Subject to declaration to the customs authorities at the port of entry for residence in  
Pakistan and on certification by a responsible representative of the Operator as to the entitlement of 
the employees, each of the expatriate employees of the oper ator, its contractors and sub­contractors 
shall be permitted to import used and bona­fide personal and household effects, excluding passenger 
vehicles and shall be exempted from all customs­duties, sales tax, iqra surcharge and taxes on imports, 
licence and authorization fees with respect to the importation of such personal  and household effects: 
Provided that such personal and household effects are imported for the use of the employee or 
a member of his family : 
Provided further that such personal and household effects were acquired or were inpossession 
of the employee or members of his family before his or their arrival in Pakistan and are imported within 
six months after arrival in Pakistan of the employee or member of the employee’s family, whichever  
is earlier, and all such effects may thereafter be exported by the individual who imported the same. 
Such personal and household effects shall, however, not be sold or disposed of or transferred in 
Pakistan, except with the prior permission of the Central B oard of Revenue (CBR) and on payment   
of customs­duty and taxes at the rate and value operating on the date the goods were first imported 
into Pakistan less depreciation at the rate of ten per cent (10%) per annum or such higher rate as may 
be allowed by the Federal Government.] 
13. Foreign nationals employed by a licensee or lessee or its contractor shall not be charged 
income­tax for a period of three years from the date of their arrival in Pakistan in accordance with, and 
subject to the provisions of, clauses 2[(7) and (8) of the Second Schedule to the Ordinance] as in force 
on the effective date of the agreement with the licensee or lessee. 
3[14. All forms of data pertaining to free acreage shall be available for inspection to a 
prospective licensee fre e of charge and such licensee may have the copies of such data for further 
examination on payment of reproduction costs and subject to such conditions as may be determined 
by the Federal Government.] 
4[15. Participation by the Federal Government or its hundred percentage owned holding 
company in exploration and production and other terms and conditions and incentives shall be as 
specified in the Petroleum Policy in vogue and as incorporated in any agreement with the Federal 
Government including production sharing agreement at the time the licensee is granted. The taxation 
of income of participating companies shall be governed by the provisions of Income Tax Ordinance 
1979” (XXXI of 1979;] 
5[16. The Operator, its contractors and sub­contractors shall not be liable to pay any tax, levy, 
Octroi or charge imposed or levied on the transportation or movement of the machinery and equipment 
to and from the area or on any item imported in pursuant to a permit, licence or lease.] 
 
1Subs. and Ins by S.R.O. 254 (I)/95, dated 29th March, 1995, see Gaz. of P., 1995, Ext., Pt. II, pp. 450-452. 
2Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
3Subs. by S.R.O. 67 (KE)/ 92 dated 29th Feb. 1992, see G2. of P., 1992., Ext., Pt. II dated 12­4­92 p. 689. 
4Subs. and added by S.R.O. 86 (KE)/2000, dated 27­4­2000. 
5Subs. and added by S.R.O 254 I/95dt. 29­3­95, see Gaz., of P. 1995, Ext., pt., 450­452. 
 
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1[17. The above concessions in respect of Offshore Pakistan shall remain valid for a period of 
five years with effect from the 1st January, 1998.] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1Subs. and added by S.R.O. 86 (KE)/2000, dated 27­4­2000.