Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources Act, 2007

Exact source transcription retained, including print layout and extraction artifacts. Text SHA-256: 9d5f6807e5a7afe8825e7f719b518e43b02ebd8d4d8fd53f84d892ccb2c89692.

Page 1 of 12 
 
 
 
THE PAKISTAN COUNCIL OF RESEARCH IN WATER 
RESOURCES ACT, 2007 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
 
2. Definitions. 
 
3. Establishment of the Council. 
 
CHAPTER II 
FUNCTION OF THE PAKISTAN COUNCIL OF RESEARCH IN WATER       
                                                         RESOURCES 
 
4. Functions of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources. 
 
5. Management. 
 
6. Board of Governors. 
 
7. Composition of the Board of Governors. 
 
8. Functions and powers of the Board. 
 
9. Term of office of members. 
 
10. Meetings of the Board. 
 
11. Chairman of the Council. 
 
12. Powers and functions of the Chairman. 
 
13. Executive Committee. 
14. Technical Advisory Committee. 

 
Page 2 of 12 
 
 
15. Funds of the Council. 
 
16. Appointments. 
 
17. Budget and Accounts. 
 
18. Delegation of Powers. 
 
CHAPTER III 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
19. Submission of periodical reports, etc. 
 
20. Directives from the Federal Government. 
 
21. Discoveries and inventions to vest in the Council. 
 
22. Declaration of fidelity and secrecy. 
 
23. Continuance of certain rules. 
24. Winding up. 
 
25. Dissolution of Council. 
 
26. Exemption from taxes. 
 
27. Ordinance XCI of 2002, not to apply to the Council. 
 
28. Power to make Rules. 
 
29. Removal of difficulties. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 3 of 12 
 
THE PAKISTAN COUNCIL OF RESEARCH IN WATER RESOURCES ACT, 
2007 
Act No. I OF 2007 
 [14th April, 2007] 
 
An Act to provide for establishment of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources 
 
WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for establishment of the Pakistan Council of Research in 
Water Resources to conduct, coordinate and promote research in water resources and for matters 
connected therewith or ancillary thereto; 
 
 It is hereby enacted as follows:— 
 
CHAPTER 1 
 
PRELIMINARY 
 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. (1) This Act may be called the Pakistan Council of 
Research in Water Resources Act, 2007. 
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.  
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
 
2. Definitions.— In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, — 
 
(a) “Board” means the Board of Governors of the Council; 
 
(b) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Council; 
 
(c) “Council” means the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources; 
 
(d)  “Executive Committee” means the Executive Committee of the Council;  
 
(e)  “Member” means a member of the Board; 
(f) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules; 
 
(g) “President” means the President of the Board; 
 
(h) “regulations” means regulations made under this Act; 
 
(i) “rules” means rules made under this Act; 
 
(j) “Secretary” means Secretary of the Council; 
 
(k) “Technical Advisory Committee” means the Technical Advisory Committee of 
the Council; and 
 
 
Page 4 of 12 
 
(l) “water resources” means various fields of hydraulics and hydrology, namely, 
water supply, irrigation, drainage and reclamation, flood control, inland 
navigation and related problems prevalent in Pakistan. 
 
3. Establishment of the Council.—(1) As soon as may be after the commencement of this 
Act, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources shall be * established by the Federal 
Government in accordance with the provisions of the Act. 
 
(2) The Council shall be a body corporate by the name of the Pakistan Council of Research in 
Water Resources having perpetual succession and a common seal, with powers, subject to the 
provisions of this Act, to acquire and hold property and shall by the said name sue and be sued. 
 
(3) The headquarter of the Council shall be at Islamabad. 
 
(4) Until the Council is established under this Act, notwithstanding its dissolution by section 
25, it shall continue to function and while so functioning be deemed to be the Council established 
under this Act. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
FUNCTIONS OF THE PAKISTAN COUNCIL OF RESEARCH IN WATER RESOURCES 
 
4. Functions of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources. The functions of the 
Council shall be to— 
 
(a) conduct, organize, coordinate and promote research on all aspects of water 
resources including irrigation, drainage, reclamation, navigation, drinking 
water, industrial water, and sewerage management and to set up national 
research centers wherever necessary; 
 
(b) design, develop and evaluate water conservation technologies for irrigation, 
drinking and industrial water; 
 
(c) initiate national water quality monitoring programme including urban and rural 
areas of Pakistan and develop technologies for providing safe drinking water to 
the public; 
 
(d) conduct and coordinate research on desertification, drought and flood 
mitigation; 
 
(e) develop and maintain national water resources database for use by the planning, 
implementing agencies and public; or advise the government and submit policy 
recommendations regarding water quality, development, management, 
conservation and utilization of water resources; 
 
(f) advise the government and submit policy recommendations regarding water 
quality, development, management, conservation and utilization of water 
resources; 
 
*For establishment of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources Please see S.R.O 44(K.E.)/2007 dated 28­06­2007. 
 
Page 5 of 12 
 
(g) publish scientific papers, reports and periodicals, as well as to arrange seminars, 
workshops and conferences on water related issues; 
 
(h) establish liaison with other related national and international research and 
development organizations, universities and non-government organizations; 
 
(i) undertake contractual research, provide consultancy services  and collaborate 
with other organizations in the public and private sector; 
 
(j) provide financial and technical support to universities and research institutions 
for collaborative research projects and fellowships; 
 
(k) design and develop water related te chnologies and items of utility for various 
users according to market demand and undertake design and development 
projects on contract; 
 
(l) undertake human resources development through training in skills related to the 
specialized functions of the Council; and 
 
(m) commercialize its research and development results from sale of products, 
patents and services as well as collaboration with other organizations. 
 
5. Management. The management of the Council shall consist of— 
 
(a) Board of Governors; 
 
(b) Chairman; and 
 
(c) Executive Committee. 
 
6. Board of Governors. The overall control, direction and superintendence of the affairs of the 
Council shall vest in a Board of Governors which may exercise all powers, perform all functions and 
do all acts and things which may be exercised, performed or done by the Council. 
 
7. Composition of the Board of Governors .— (1) The Board of Governors shal l consist of 
following, namely:— 
 
 
(a) Minister for Science and            
Technology  
 
                        President 
(b) Secretary, Scientific and 
Technological Research 
Division  
 
Vice­ President 
 
(c) Representative from 
Ministry Finance, not 
below the rank of  Joint 
Secretary 
                        Member 
 
Page 6 of 12 
 
(d) Representative from 
Ministry of Science and 
Technology not below the 
rank of Joint Secretary 
 
                       Member 
(e) Chief Engineering 
Advisor, Ministry of 
Water and Power  
 
                       Member 
(f) Four representatives to be 
nominated by Provincial 
Governments from the 
Water Sector Member 
                      Member 
(g) Four Representatives of 
the Farmers, one each to 
be nominated by the 
respective Provincial  
Governments 
 
                     Member 
(h) Representative of Water 
Industry to be Nominated 
by Federation of  Pakistan 
Chamber of Commerce 
and Industries 
                     Member 
(i) Chairman of the Council  
 
                      Member 
(j) One Member each from 
the National Assembly 
and Senate to be  
nominated by the Speaker 
and Chairman Senate 
respectively. Member 
                      Member 
 
(2) The Chairman of the Council shall act as Secretary of the Board. 
 
8. Functions and powers of the Board . In particular and without prejudice to the generality 
of the powers conferred by section 6, the Board shall__ 
 
(a) approve overall plans, policies and programmes of the Council; 
 
(b) review and approve annual and long­term business plans of the Council; 
 
(c)  review and approve research projects proposed by the Technical Advisory 
Committee; 
 
(d) approve the annual development and non­development budget of the Council; 
 
 
Page 7 of 12 
 
(e) create posts of such officers and servants and engage such consultants or 
experts, as it may consider necessary for the efficient performance of the 
functions of the Council, on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit; 
 
(f) recommend to the Government to terminate the contract of the Chairman before 
the expiry of his tenure in case of unsatisfactory performance; and 
 
(g) make regulations in the light of rules for carrying out activities considered 
necessary for achieving efficient functioning of the Council under this Act. 
 
9. Term of office of members.—(1) Save as hereinafter provided, a member, other than an ex­ 
officio member, shall hold office for a period of three years from the date of his nomination. 
 
(2) A person who becomes, or is nominated to be, a member by virtue of his holding an office 
or appointment shall cease to be a member when he ceases to hold that office or appointment. 
 
(3) A member, other than an ex­officio member, may at any time resign his office by writing 
under his hand addressed to the Government but shall continue to perform his functions until his 
resignation has been accepted. 
 
(4) A vacancy caused by resignation or any other reason shall be filled by the nomination of a 
person qualified to fill such vacancy. 
 
(5) No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid on the ground only of the existence of a 
vacancy in the Board. 
 
(6) The Federal Government may increase or decrease the number of members of the Board of 
Governors and prescribe the qualifications and mode of appointment of such members in such manner 
as it may prescribe. 
 
10. Meetings of the Board. — (1) Save as hereinafter provided, the Board shall regulate the 
procedure for its meetings. 
 
(2) Meetings of the Board shall be called by its President on such date and at such time and 
place as he may deem fit: 
 
Provided that not less than two meetings shall be held in a year. 
 
(3) Eight members shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Board. 
 
(4) Each meeting of the Board shall be presided over by the President and, in his absence, by 
the Vice-president of the Board. 
 
11. Chairman of the Council. The Chairman shall be an eminent scientist or engineer having 
at least 15 years experience in the relevant field and shall be appointed by the Federal Government on 
the recommendation of Board of Governors for a term of three years on such terms and cond itions as 
may be determined. The Government, on the recommendation of Board of Governors, may extend the 
tenure of the Chairman for another term or terms as it may deem fit, or convert it into permanent 
appointment. 
 
 
Page 8 of 12 
 
12. Powers and functions of the Chairman. The Chairman, who shall be the chief executive 
of the Council, shall work under the general policy guideline of the Board and have such powers, 
functions and duties as may be conferred on, or vested in, him by or under his Act. 
 
The Chairman:— 
 
(a) may, from time to time, for the purpose of ensuring efficient functioning of the 
Council and to facilitate its day to day functions, delegate to the Secretary or  
other officers of the Council, such of his functions, powers or ditties as he may 
consider necessary; 
 
(b)  shall in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee formulate 
business and research plans and submit to the Board for approval; 
(c) shall ensure the protection of all assets of the Council including intellectual 
property assets; 
 
(d) shall promote commercialization of research and development work of the 
Council linking it with the market demand; 
 
(e) arrange for annual performance evaluation of the Council; 
 
(f) prepare the annual report of the Council for submission to the Federal 
Government which shall place it before the Parliament; 
 
(g) identify areas of strength and weakness and formulate remedial programs; 
 
(h commission industry specific studies to identify technical problems and to 
approve plans for technical scientific input by the Council towards their 
solution; 
 
(i) arrange management courses on a regular basis for managerial levels of the 
Council; and 
 
(j) may subject to the provisions clause (e) of section 8, appoint such officers and 
employees as may be necessary for the efficient performance of the functions 
of the Council on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed under the 
rules. 
 
13. Executive Committee.—(1) The Executive Committee shall assist the Chairman in the 
running the day to day functions of the Council and be responsible for administrative as well as 
financial matters of the Council. The Committee shall comprise the following members, namely:— 
 
(a) Chairman of the Council; 
 
(b) two most senior scientific or technical officers; 
 
(c) Financial Adviser Ministry of Science and Technology; and 
 
(d) Secretary of the Council who shall also act as its Secretary. 
 
Page 9 of 12 
 
 
(2) All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Board for information 
and approval. 
 
(3) The Federal Government may increase or decrease the number of members of the Executive 
Committee and prescribe the qualifications and mode of appointment of such members in such manner 
as it may prescribe. 
 14. Technical Advisory Committee. — (1) The Board shall appoint a Technical Advisory  
Committee comprising such number of members and for such terms as it may deem fit. 
 
(2) The Head of the Technical Advisory Committee will be nominated from amongst the non­ 
official members of the Board. 
 
(3) Non­official Members of Advisory Committee shall be nominated from amongst the 
following:— 
 
(a) progressive farmers; 
 
(b) water related industry; and 
 
(c) Experts from the public and private sector. 
(4) Chairman of the Council or his representative shall be a member of the Technical Advisory 
Committee. 
 
(5) The Federal Government may increase or decrease the number of members of the Technical 
dvisory Committee and prescribe the qualifications and mode of appointment of such members in such 
manner as it may prescribe. 
 
(6) The Committee shall— 
 
(a) identify and prepare research programmes and projects relevant to the market 
demand; 
 
(b) propose Annual, Five Year Development Programmes of the Council; 
 
(c) advise and report on any technical matters referred to it by the Board; and 
 
(d) conduct performance evaluation of the research programme for consideration 
by the Board. 
 
15. Funds of the Council. The Funds of the Council shall comprise— 
 
(a) funds of the Council which stand transferred to the Council under section 25; 
 
(b) grants from the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments; 
 
(c) donations and endowments; 
 
 
Page 10 of 12 
 
(d) funds generated through sale proceeds, technical services, and income from 
patents; and 
 
(e) research grants. 
 
1[16. Appointments.—(1) The Council may appoint such employees as it may consider 
necessary for the efficient performance of its functions on such terms and conditions as may be 
prescribed.  
(2) All appointments and promotions in the Council shall be in accordance with the service 
rules and regulations of the Council. 
 
(3)The Council may engage experts, advisers and consultants on contract on such terms and 
conditions as it may determine.] 
 
17. Budget and accounts.—(1) The Chairman shall, in respect of each financial year, submit 
for the approval of the Board, a statement showing all the expenditures incurred during the year along 
with estimated receipts and expenditures for the next financial year. 
 
(2) The Council shall, by such date and in such from as may be prescribed by rules, submit to 
the Federal Government for approval its budget for each financial year showing the estimated receipts 
and expenditure and the sums which are likely to be required from the Federal Government during the 
financial year. 
 
(3) The accounts of the Council shall be maintained in such form and manner as the Federal 
Government may determine in consultation with the Controller General of Pakistan.  
 
(4) The accounts of the Council shall be audited by the Auditor General of Pakistan. 
18. Delegation of powers. The Board may, by general or speci al order in writing, direct that 
such of its powers shall, in such circumstances and under such conditions, if any, as may be specified 
in the order, be exercised by the Chairman Executive Committee, or a member or officer of the 
Council. 
 
CHAPTER III 
MISCELLANEOUS 
19. Submission of periodical reports, etc . The Council shall submit to the Federal 
Government at such time and at such intervals as the Federal Government may specify— 
 
(a) annual report on the working of the Council; 
 
(b) such periodical reports  and summaries as may be required by the Federal 
Government; 
 
(c) such periodical returns, accounts, statements and statistics as may be required 
by the Federal Government; 
 
 
1Subs. by Act XIV of 2023, s.2. 
 
 
Page 11 of 12 
 
 
(d) information and comments asked for by the Federal Government on any specific 
point; 
 
(e) copies of the documents required by the Federal Government; and 
 
(f) original documents required by the Federal Government for examination or any 
other purpose. 
20. Directives from the Federal Government . (1) In the performance or its functions, the  
Council shall be guided on questions of policy by the instructions, if any, given  to it by the Federal 
Government which shall be sole judge as to whether a question is a question of policy, provided that 
reasons for issuing such a directive are conveyed in writing. 
 
(2) The Federal Government may dissolve and reconstitute the Board, if deemed necessary in 
public interest. 
 
21. Discoveries and inventions to vest in the Council . All rights relating to discoveries and 
inventions and any improvements in materials, methods, processes, apparatus or equipment made by 
any officer or employee of the Council in the course of his employment shall vest in the Council and 
the researchers as per rules. 
 
22. Declaration of fidelity and secrecy. Every member, adviser, officer or other employee 
of the Council shall make such declaration of fidelity and secrecy as may be prescribed. 
 
23. Continuance of certain rules . All rules, regulations and bye­laws made by the Council 
and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall apply mutadtis mutandis, and so 
far as they are not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, continue in force until re pealed 
or altered by rules or regulations made under this Act. 
 
24. Winding up. No provision of law relating to the winding up of bodies corporate shall apply 
to the Council and the Council shall not be wound up except by order of the Federal Government and 
in such manner as the Federal Government may direct. 
 
25. Dissolution of Council. Upon the commencement of this Act, the Council formed under 
the Resolution shall stand dissolved and upon such dissolution:  
 
(a)  all assets, rights, powers, authorities and privileges and property, movable and 
immovable, cash and bank balance, reserve funds, investments and all Other 
interests and rights in, or arising out of such property and all debts, liabilities 
and obligations of whatever kind of the Council subsisti ng immediately before 
its dissolution shall stand transferred to and vest in the Council; 
 
(b)  all officers and other employees of the Council shall; notwithstanding anything 
contained in any law or in any agreement, deed, document or other instrument, 
stand transferred to the Council in accordance with the present terms and 
conditions of the service applicable to them; and no officer or other employee 
whose services are so transferred shall be entitled to any compensation because 
of such transfer; 
 
 
Page 12 of 12 
 
(c)  a regular employee of the Council before the commencement of this Act shall 
have the option to remain civil servant under the Civil servants Act, 1973 (LXXI 
of 1973); and shall be entitled to all the privileges and facilities of the Federal 
Government such as pension, gratuity, housing and health. 
 
(d)  all debts and obligations incurred or contracts entered into or rights acquired 
and all matters and things engaged to be done by, with or for the Council formed 
under the Resolution before its dissolution s hall be deemed to have been 
incurred, entered into, acquired or engaged to be done by, with or for the 
Council; and 
 
(e)  all suits and other legal proceedings instituted by or against the Council formed 
under the Resolution, before its dissolution shall b e deemed to be suits and 
proceedings by or against the Council and may be proceeded or otherwise dealt 
with accordingly. 
 
26. Exemption from taxes. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Income Tax Ordinance, 
2001 (XLIX of 2001) or any other law for the  time being in force relating to income tax, the Council 
shall not be liable to pay any such tax on its income, capital profit, wealth, gifts or gains. 
27. Ordinance XCI of 2002, not to apply to the Council. Nothing contained in the Industrial 
Relations Ordinance, 2002 (XCI of 2002), shall apply to or in relation to the Council or any of the 
officers, advisers and employees appointed by it. 
 
28. Power to make Rules . The Federal Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, within six months of the commencement of this Act; make rules to carry out its purposes. 
 
29. Removal of difficulties. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this 
Act, the Federal Government may make such order not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as 
may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty: 
 
Provided that no such power shall be exercised after the expiry of two years from the 
commencement of this Act. 
 
 
___________