Pakistan Health Research Council Act, 2016 (Repealed by ACT No. XIII OF 2021 section 33 (w.e.f 29-07-2021))

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THE PAKISTAN HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL ACT, 2016 
 
 
 
  
CONTENTS 
__________ 
 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 
CHAPTER II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL 
 
3.  Establishment of the Council. 
CHAPTER III 
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COUNCIL 
 
4.  Functions and powers of the Council. 
CHAPTER IV 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL 
 
5.  Board. 
6.  Functions of the Board. 
7.  Meetings of the Board. 
8.  Submission of periodical reports, etc. 
9.  Executive Committee. 
10.  Functions of the Executive Committee. 
11.  Technical Advisory Committee. 
12.  Functions of the Technical Adviser Committee. 
13.  Finance and Resource Development Committee. 
14.  Executive Director. 
15.  Validity of proceedings. 
   

 
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CHAPTER V 
FINANCE AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 
 
16.  Establishment of Medical Research Fund. 
17.  Endowments. 
18.  Accounts and audit. 
CHAPTER VI 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
19. Quorum for meetings of the Committees. 
20.  Officers and employees of the Council. 
21.  Indemnity. 
22.  Power to make rules. 
23.  Removal of difficulties. 
 
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THE PAKISTAN HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL ACT, 2016 
 
ACT No. XII OF 2016 
[22nd March, 2016] 
An Act to provide for reconstitution and reorganization of the Pakistan Health Research Council 
WHEREAS it is expedient to reconstitute and reorganize the Pakistan Medical Research 
Council with the name of Pakistan Health Research Council by providing administrative and 
financial autonomy for its efficient functioning; 
It is hereby enacted as follows: 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. —(1) This Act may be called the Pakistan Health 
Research Council Act, 2016. 
(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)  “Aid” means financial assistance as described in section 16 (2) (b); 
(b)  “Board” means the Board of Governors constituted under section 5; 
(c)  “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board; 
(d)  “Council” means the Pakistan Health Research Council; 
(e)  “Donations” means voluntary gift/charity as defined under section 16 (2) (a); 
(f)  “Endowments” means a fund as described in section 17; 
(g)  “Executive Committee” means the Executive Committee constituted under  
section 9; 
(h)  “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Council appointed 
under 
(i)  “Fees” means subscription charges and any other payments as enumerated in 
section 16(2) (c); 
(j)  “Fellowship” means association or companionship between individuals or 
organizations; 
(k)  “Finance and Resource Development Committee ” means the Finance and 
Resource Development Committee constituted under section 13; 
(l)  “Fund” means the Medical Research Fund established under section 16; 
(m)  “Grants” means financial aid or other forms of assistance as explained 
in section 16(2) (b); 
 
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(n)  “Health” means a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well 
being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; 
(o)  “Health research ” means a process for obtaining systematic knowledge that 
may be applied to improve the health of individuals and populations; 
(p)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules; 
(q)  “rules” means rules made under this Act; 
(r)  “Scholarship” means financial support on the basis of academic/ research 
related progress; and 
(s)  “Technical Advisory Committee” means the Technical Advisory committee of 
the Council constituted by the Board under section 11. 
CHAPTERII 
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNCIL 
3. Establishment of the Council .—(1) As soon as may be after the commencement of this 
Act, the existing Pakistan Medical Research Council shall, by notification in the official Gazette, be 
reconstituted and reorganized to be called the Pakistan Health Research Council. 
(2) The Council shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal 
with powers, subject to the provisions of the Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both 
movable and immovable and shall by the said name sue and be sued. 
(3) The headquarters of the Council shall be at Islamabad. 
CHAPTER III 
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COUNCIL 
4. Functions and powers of the Council .—(1) The functions and powers of the Council 
shall be,— 
(a)  to promote, organize, coordinate, and conduct scientific research in the fields 
of health  including allopathy, Homeopathy, Harbal, unani, iovadic and 
traditional medicine; 
(b)  to ensure that health research is relevant to the problems and issues  of health 
in Pakistan  within the framework of national, legal, socioeconomic  
development; 
(c)  to facilitate development of institutional capacity for research including 
trainin of manpower; 
(d)  to organize and facilitate utilization of results of the research; 
(e)  to advise the Federal and Provincial Governments and any other relevant  
body/organization on matters related to health research; 
(f)  to establish, strengthen and expand information resource for support of 
research; 
 
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(g)  to sensitize the public through information dissemination of the findings of 
health related research through publications, conferences, seminars, media and 
meetings; 
(h)  to provide financial support for health research through grants and 
fellowships; 
(i)  to establish linkages with national and international research institutions, 
bodies and organizations as well as relevant community groups and agencies; 
and 
(j)  to develop financial and other resources for its functions and for the support of 
research. 
CHAPTER IV 
 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL 
5. Board.—(1) The overall control and superintendence of the affairs of the Council shall 
vest in a Board which shall consist of the following, namely:— 
 
 (a) The Chairman who shall be the Minister or in his Chairman absence the Minister of State 
or Advisor of the administrative ministry or in their absence, as the case may be, the 
Secretary of the administrative ministry; 
(b) Secretary of the administrative ministry; Member 
(c) Secretary Finance Division; Member 
(d) Secretary Planning and Development Division; Member 
(e) Executive Director, National Institute of Health, Islamabad; Member 
(f) Chairman. Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad; Member 
(g) Executive Director, Health Services Academy, Islamabad; Member 
(h) One Head of Medical College/University (Institution)  (from each Province 
and Gilgit/Baltistan) where PMRC  Research Centers are located to be 
nominated by the Provincial Government; 
Member 
(i) Principal, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi; Member 
(j) The Executive Director, National Institute of Population Studies; Member 
(k) Dean Research, the Aga Khan University, Karachi; Member 
(l) Private Medical Colleges recognized by Pakistan Medical and  Dental Council 
(ten years recognition) (one from each Province  to be nominated by the 
Federal Government); 
Member 
(m) President, Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association; Member 
(n) Rector, Hamdard University, Karachi; Member 
(o) Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore; Member 
(p) Fatmid Foundation, Karachi/Edhi Foundation, Karachi; Member 
(q) Executive Director, PHRC. Member 
 
 
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(2) The Executive Director shall also act as Secretary of the Board. 
6. Functions of the Board.—(1) The functions of the Board shall be,— 
(a)  to formulate policy on health research; 
(b)  to review and monitor the performance of the Council; 
(c)  subject to other provisions of this Act, to appoint necessary officers and 
employees, against sanctioned posts on such terms and conditions as may be 
prescribed under the rules: 
Provided that the contract appointments shall be regulated by the relevant  instructions of the 
Federal Government, issued from time to time and appointment to the  posts with emoluments 
equivalent to or higher than those of BS -20 shall he made with p rior approval of the Federal 
Government; 
(d) to approve annual budge; and 
(e) to make recommendation to the Federal Government for appointment of Executive 
Director. 
(2) In the discharge of its functions, the Board shall be guided on questions of policy by  the 
instructions, if any , given to it from time to time by the Federal Government which shall be the sole 
judge as to whether a question is a question of policy. 
7. Meetings of the Board .—(1) Meetings of the Board shall be called by the Chairman or 
the Board provided that not less than two meetings shall be held in a year. The meetings shall be 
presided over by the Chairman and in his absence by the Minister of State or Advisor of the 
administrative ministry or in their absence the Secretary of the administrative ministry. 
(2) One-third of the total membership of the Board shall constitute the quorum. All decisions 
shall be taken with majority votes of the members present and in case of a tie (equality of votes), the 
person presiding over the meeting shall have the casting vote. 
8. Submission of periodical reports, etc. —(1) The Council shall submit to the Federa l 
Government annual report on the conduct of its affairs for the preceding year, as early as possible, 
but not later than the last day of December next. 
(2) The Council shall render to the Federal Government information, comments and advice 
on any specific point as may be asked for. 
9. Executive Committee. —There shall be an Executive Committee which shall consist of 
following members namely:— 
 
(i) Secretary of the Ministry Chairman 
(ii) Planning and Development Division Representative Member 
(iii) Finance Division Representative Member 
(iv) Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation  Member 
(v) One Head of Medical College/University (Institution) (from each 
Province and Gilgit/Baltistan) where PMRC Research Centers are  
located to be nominated by Provincial Government 
Member 
(vi) Executive Director, PHRC Member/Secretary 
 
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10. Functions of the Executive Committee. —(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and 
the rules and regulations made thereunder and the general or special directions of the Board, the 
Committee shall be the principal administrative body of the Council responsible for executing all 
policies and discharging all functions of the Council under this Act. 
 
(2) Notwithstanding the pr ovision contained in subsection (1), the Executive Committee 
shall,— 
(i)  undertake regular review and evaluation of the research projects and the 
program to be launched and implemented by the Council; and 
(ii)  execute the administrative, financial and research activities of the Council. 
11. Technical Advisory Committee .—(1) There shall be a Technical Advisory Committee 
which shall consist of eight members including the Executive Director to be appointed by  the Board. 
The Chairperson of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board. 
(2) The members of the Committee shall be appointed on the basis of their experience in 
health related fields. 
(3) The term of membership of the members shall be three years. 
(4) The meetings of the Committee shall be convened as and when required. 
12. Functions of the Technical Advisory Committee. —(1) The functions of the Technical 
Advisory Committee shall be,— 
(a)  to recommend to the Board through Executive Director research an d 
development program and strategic plans of the Council along with budget 
estimates of these activities; 
(b)  to review outcome of research supported by the Council and to suggest 
methods for the  utilization of the research by the health and other related  
sectors; 
(c)  to render advice and report on any technical matter referred to it by the 
Council; 
(d)  to identify and recommend to the Board through Executive Director suitable 
candidates as fellows, scholars and associates; 
(e)  to recommend to the Board appropriate policies for the support of the research 
activities undertaken by the Council including policies relating to inter -
institutional relationship; and 
(f)  to act as a primary medium of communication between the Council and the 
research and academic community, informing the Board of issues, problems 
and research opportunities and in turn, helping to foster understanding within 
the research and academic community of the Council's aims and activities. 
2) The Committee with the approval of the Board may make regulations to carry out its 
functions. 
 
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13. Finance and Resource Development Committee. —(1) The Board shall appoint a 
Finance and Resource Development Committee consisting of four members which shall,— 
(a)  make recommendations to the Board on all  financial matters of the Council 
including plans for resources development; 
(b)  propose Council's budget to the Board;  
(c)  prepare a report on financial aspects of the Council and submit the same to the 
Board through Executive Director; and 
(d)  monitor implementation of plans duly approved by the Board for resources 
development. 
14. Executive Director.—(1) The Executive Director shall be the Chief Executive of the 
Council, having qualifications and experience as may be prescribed, who shall be appointe d by the 
Federal Government on the recommendations of the Board. 
(2) The terms of office of the Executive Director shall be five years extendable for another 
term on the basis of performance. 
(3) The Executive Director shall be responsible to the implement ation of the decisions of the 
Board and who shall also administer the budget of the Council. 
15. Validity of proceedings.  No act, proceedings or decisions of the Board, or any 
Committee, shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in, or any defect in the 
constitution of the Board or, as the case may be, the Committee. 
CHAPTER V 
 
FINANCE AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 
16. Establishment of Medical Research Fund .—(1) There shall be established a fund to be  
called the Medical Research Fund which shall be non-lapsable. All receipts of the Fund shall initially 
be credited to the Fund. The amounts for the expenditures related to the operation of the Council  
shall be drawn from the Fund as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Fund shall have the following sources, namely:— 
(a)  donations, contributions, subscriptions, aid and grants made by the donors; 
(b)  aids, grants or other form of assistance by the Federal Government or 
Provincial Government or any of the Foreign Government, national and 
international institutions, organizations and agencies; 
(c)  fees, subscriptions, charges and any other payments for any service rendered, 
such as training, institutional consultancies, sale proceeds, royalties on 
publications, commission and receipts from any other source; and 
(d)  income from any investment and deposits. 
17. Endowments .—(1) The Council shall arrange funds for creating an endowment fund. 
The Council shall invest this fund and savings from other sources in any security approved by the 
 
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Federal Government to create income to be utilized for funding the Council's program. The income 
so received shall be utilized up to a maximum of fifty percent and the balance fifty percent shall be 
reinvested to offer protection for the endowment from complete erosion due to inflation. The 
distribution of the income from the endowment for the fiscal year from July 1st to June 30th shall be 
based on the value of the total income received up to 31st day of December of the calendar year 
preceding the fiscal year. 
(2) The Counc il shall make rules for endowment fund for the administration, payment 
procedure, financial powers and investment of the fund. These rules shall require approval of the 
Finance Division after approval by the Controller General of Accounts. 
18. Accounts and  audit.—(1) The Head of Finance Department of the Council, as may be  
prescribed, shall submit annual financial statements to the Finance and Resource Development  
Committee which shall make its recommendation to the Board. The se statements shall include the  
estimated receipts and expenditure and the sums which are likel y to be received for the coming 
financial years. 
(2) After the commencement of this Act, the Council shall frame a detailed accounting 
procedure for maintaining of its accounts after its approval from the Office of the Controller General 
of Accounts and the Ministry of Finance. 
(3) The fund shall be kept in the personal Ledger Account of the Council with the National 
Bank of Pakistan. 
 
(4) The accounts of the Council shall be audited by the Auditor General of Pakistan on yearly 
basis. 
CHAPTER-VI 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
19. Quorum for meetings of the Committees . The quorum for the meetings of all the  
committees shall be one  half of their total membership. All decisio ns shall be taken with majority 
votes of the members present and in case of difference of opinion , the person presiding over the 
meeting shall have casting vote. 
20. Officers and employees of the Council. —(1) The officers and employees who were  
appointed on regular basis in the Pakistan Medi cal Research Counci l before its reconstitution and 
reorganization as Pakistan Health Research Council shall stand tra nsferred and absorbed into, and 
become employees of the Council: 
Provided that the civil servants appointed on deputation in the Pakistan Medical Research 
Council before its reconstitution and reorganization as Pakistan Health Research  Council shall upon 
their transfer to the Council continue to be governed by the Civil Servants  Act, 1973 (LXXI of 
1973), except those who may opt for absorpti on in the employment of  the Council in pursuance of 
subsection (2). 
(2) A civil servant appointed on deputation in the Pakistan Medical Research Council shall 
be given right to exercise option for such absorption within a period of six months of the 
commencement of this Act. 
 
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21. Indemnity. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Council, 
any member, officer or staff of the Council for anything done or intended or purported to be done in 
good faith under this Act or the rules made thereunder. 
22. Power to make rules.  The Federal Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act including rules to regulate the financial 
and administrative matters related to the Council. 
23. 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 express provisions of 
this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty.