PUNJAB ACID CONTROL ACT 2025

Exact source transcription retained, including print layout and extraction artifacts. Text SHA-256: 54d1b93e8eb56c7c0bdcaf60884bff7e5569758bdc6fc00099eda725e421ccef.

PUNJAB ACID CONTROL ACT 2025  
(XXVI of 2025) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 
3. Prohibition. 
4. Application for grant of license. 
5. Renewal of license. 
6. Issuance of duplicate copy of a license. 
7. Suspension or cancellation of a license. 
8. Importer and manufacturer of acid. 
9. Power to seal, confiscate and remove. 
10. Maintenance of record by license. 
11. General conditions. 
12. Packing of acid. 
13. Maintenance of record by licensing authority. 
14. Power to inspect the business of acid. 
15. Public awareness. 
16. Appeal. 
17. Punishment. 
18. Cognizance and trial. 
19. Negligence in business of acid. 
20. Indemnity. 
21. Power to make rules. 
22. Power to amend the Schedule. 
23. Overriding effect. 
 
 
24. Removal of difficulties. 
SCHEDULE
TEXT 
1
PUNJAB ACID CONTROL ACT 2025 
(XXVI of 2025) 
              [02 May 2025] 
An 
Act 
to regulate and control the business of acid in Punjab. 
It is necessary to regulate  and control the business of acid in Punjab by providing a 
comprehensive mechanism and for the matters ancillary thereto and connected 
therewith. 
Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of Punjab as follows: 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .- (1) This Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Acid Control Act 2025. 
(2) It shall extend to whole of Punjab. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.- In the Act: 
(a) “acid” means a corrosive substance tending to destroy, causing hurt, 
deface or dismember any organ of human body and includes every 
kind of acid ha ving corroding effect and which is deleterious to human 
body and any other substance provided in Form-I of the Schedule; 
(b) “Act” means the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025; 
(c) “business premises" means a place,  building, shop, warehouse or any 
other place being used for storage and selling of acid;  
(d) “business of acid” means business of supplying, transporting, storing, 
purchasing and selling of acid; 
(e) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898); 
(f) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner as defined in the Punjab 
Civil Administration Act 2017 (III of 2017); 
(g) “Court” means the Court of Magistrate of the first class as classified in 
the Code; 
(h) “Department” means the Home Department, Government of Punjab; 
(i) “Deputy Commissioner” means the Deputy Commissioner as defined in 
the Punjab Civil Administration Act 2017 (III of 2017);  
(j) “Form” means the Form provided in the Schedule; 
(k) “Government” means Government of the Punjab. 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 22 April 2025; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab 
on 02 May 2025; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 02 May 2025, pp. 4263-4271. 
 
 
(l) “license” means a license for the purpose of business of acid granted 
by the licensing authority under the Act; 
(m) “licensee” means a person having valid license under the Act; 
(n) “licensing authority” means the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned 
district; 
(o) “person” means an individual or juristic person or association of 
persons; 
(p) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules made under the Act;  
(q) “rules” means the rules made under the Act; 
(r) “Secretary” means the Secr etary to the Government, Home 
Department; and 
(s) “Schedule” means the Schedule appended to the Act.  
3. Prohibition.- (1) No person shall  carry on the business of acid without a 
license. 
(2) No acid shall be sold to the person below the age of eighteen years. 
4. Application for grant of license .- (1) A person who is carrying on the 
business of acid before the commencement of the Act, shall, within thirty days of the 
commencement of the Act, submit  an application on Form-II, for grant of license , to 
the licensing a uthority, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed until so 
prescribed as may be determined by the Secretary. 
(2) On receipt of application under sub -section (1), the licensing authority 
may grant a provisional license to carry on the business of acid which shall be valid 
until the decision is made on the application for grant of license. 
 (3) A person who intends to carry on the business of acid after the 
commencement of the Act, he shall submit an application  on Form -II, for grant of 
license, to the licensing authority on payment of such fee as may be prescribed  until 
so prescribed as may be determined by the Secretary. 
(4) On receipt of application under sub -section (1), the licensing authority 
may himself or through an officer , not below the rank of BS 16, visit the business 
premises for verification of the information provided in the application. 
(5) The licensing authority may, after his satisfaction , grant a license on 
Form-III, for the purpose applied for, for a period of two years which may be 
extendable for a further period of two years. 
(6) Subject to the provisions of the Act, licensing authority shall decide the 
application within sixty days of its receipt and in case of rejection of application, the 
licensing authority shall pass a speaking order along with reasons for such rejection. 
(7) The licensing authority may, if so req uired, require an additional 
information and the applicant shall provide such information with in such time  and in 
such manner as may be directed by the licensing authority. 
(8) In case the licensing authority cause s visit of the business premises 
through his authorized officer, the authorized officer shall within such time as may be 
 
 
provided to him by the licensing authority, submit a report of his visit, in writing, to the 
licensing authority in such manner as may be directed by the licensing authority.  
(9) The license issued under the Act shall be person and place specific  as 
provided in the license and it shall also contain the quantity of acid to be retained by 
the licensee at a time.  
5. Renewal of license.- (1) The license granted under the Act may be renewed 
for a further peri od as provided in sub -section (5 ) of section 4 of the Act, on an 
application on Form -III, by the licensee  on payment of such fee  as may be 
prescribed and until so prescribed as may be determined by the Secretary. 
(2) The procedure provided for grant of license under section 4 of the Act 
shall be applicable for renewal of license. 
6. Issuance of duplicate copy of a license .- (1) In case original license is lost 
or destroyed or becomes illegible due to any reason, a report thereof shall  be made 
to the licensing authority in such manner and within such period as may be 
prescribed. 
(2) The licensing authority may, after his satisfaction, may, on such terms 
and conditions and on payment of such fee as may be prescri bed, issue a duplicate 
copy of the license. 
7. Suspension or cancellation of a license. - (1) The licensing authority may 
suspend for such a period as may be deemed fit or cancel the license on Form-IV, if 
the terms and conditions of the license are violated or the license is o btained on the 
basis of false information or any provision of the Act or the ru les made thereunder is 
violated. 
(2) The licensing authority shall , before suspension or cancellatio n of 
license, give an opportunity of being heard to licensee.  
(3) In case a  licensee is  convicted for an offence punishable under 
sections 332, 336A and 336 B of the Pakistan Pen al Code, 1860 ( XLV of 1860),  
license of such licensee shall be deemed to have been cancelled from the date of 
such conviction and formal cancellation shall be made and issued as such conviction 
comes in the knowledge and information of the licensing authority by any means and 
in such case an opportunity of being heard shall not be required. 
(4) The order of suspension or cancellation, as the case may be , shall be 
communicated to the concerned person within seven days of issuance of such order.  
(5) In case of de ath of a licensee, the license shall stand cancelled 
forthwith and the business premises shall be liable to be sealed by the licensing 
authority or his authorized officer till such time the legal heir of such deceased is 
granted a license. 
(6) In case, no legal heir applies for grant of license regarding business of 
acid of the deceased, the stock available at such business premises shall be taken 
into custody by the licensing authority or his authorized officer in such manner as 
may be prescribed or until so prescribed as may be determined by the licensing 
authority.  
(7) The stock taken into custody under sub -section (6), shall be sold 
through an open auction with the permission of the Court and the amount received 
 
 
from such auction, after deduction of expenses incurred on such auction, shall be 
handed over to the legal heirs of the deceased licensee on their request, in writing to 
the licensing authority. 
(8) In case there in no legal heir or no legal heir applies within a period of 
two years from the date of auction, the amount received from the auction shall be 
deposited in the treasury.  
8. Importer and manufactur er of acid .- (1) An impo rter or manufacturer of 
acid, duly license under the relevant laws for the time being in force , carrying on his 
business of acid in Punjab shall also be required to be registered under the Act. 
(2) The Secretary or his authorized officer may ask the importer  or 
manufacturer of acid in Punjab to produce a license issued by the competent 
authority under relevant laws for the time being in for ce, proof of registration under 
the Act and details of acid supplied in Punjab and such importer or manufacturer, as 
the case may be, shall be bound t o produce the  valid license  and provided the 
details. 
(3) In case of violation of any provisions of the Act and the rules and 
subject to the reasons recorded in writing, Secretary may ban the business of acid 
by an importer or manufacturer in Punjab. 
9. Power to seal, confiscate and remove.- (1) On his own information or o n a 
complaint received to him,  licensing authority, if he is satisfied that the business of 
acid is carrying on without lawful authority, may seal the business premises or seize 
the vehicle used for such transportation, as the case may be. 
(2) In case the acid , sealed under sub -section (1) , is declared in 
contravention to the provisions of the Act by the Court, it shall be confiscated and 
disposed of in such mann er as may be prescribed  or until so prescribed as may be 
directed by the Court. 
(3) The acid sealed under sub -section (1), may, if the circumstances so 
warrant, be removed from such place and be placed at such other place as may be 
allowed by the Court. 
10. Maintenance of record by license.- (1) A licensee shall keep and maintain a 
record of business of acid on Form-V and the record of such business of acid shall 
be shared with the licensing authority within one month after the end of a year. 
(2) The licensing authority or his authorized officer may require information 
as and when required for the purposes of the Act and the licensee shall be bound to 
produce such information in such manner and within such time as provided in the 
order. 
11. General conditions.– The license shall be non-transferable and the licensee 
shall: 
(a) observe the prescribed terms and conditions;  
(b) display the license at a conspicuous place at the business premises; 
(c) be bound to produce the license as and when so required by the 
licensing authority or his authorized officer;  
 
 
(d) not use or allow to be used a license for the purpose other than 
mentioned in the license;  
(e) intimate the licensing authority or his authorized officer regarding close 
of his business of acid; and 
(f) maintain a record of business of acid in the prescribed manner. 
12. Packing of acid.- (1) The acid shall be stored, supplied, transported and sold 
in the packed containers duly sealed and stamped with the precautions  labelled on 
such containers. 
(2) Subject to the provisions of the Act, Secretary may issue such 
directions or guidelines for safe packing, storing, supplying and transportation of acid 
as he may deem fit for the purposes of the Act. 
 (3) A container of acid shall contain the following legible information 
printed conspicuously on it: 
(a)  name and kind of acid; 
(b)  name, address and license number; 
(c)  volume and quantity of acid; 
(d)  manufacturing and expiry dates, if any; 
(e)  warning statement including the words 
“DANGEROUS/CORROSIVE” in red on a contrasting  
background; and 
(f) instructions for use, storage and handling and  safety 
precautions relating thereto. 
13. Maintenance of record by licensing authority.- The licensing authority shall 
maintain a record of the applications for grant and renewal of licenses on Form-VI.   
14. Power to inspect the business of acid .- (1) The licensing authority or his 
authorized officer may at any time visit the business premises and may inspect all 
acids and the registers containing details of such stock. 
(2) The licensing authority or his authorized officer shall conduct a regular 
visit of the business premises at least once in six months. 
15. Public awareness .- The Government shall make arrangements of public 
awareness through posters, notice boards, newspapers and electronic media to:  
(a) encourage compliance to the provisions of this Act; and   
(b) responsibilities of the licensee and buyer.   
16. Appeal.- (1) A person aggrieved of an order passed by the licensing authority 
under the Act, may, within thirty days of communication of such order, file an appeal 
before the Commissioner who shall decide it within thirty days of its filing. 
(2) A person aggrieved of the decision of the Commissioner, may, within 
thirty days of passing of such order, file a second appeal before the Secretary who 
shall decide it within thirty days of its receipt. 
 
 
(3) Any person aggrieved of the order of the Secretary, may, within thirty 
days of the issuance of such order, file a revision petition before the Chief Secretary 
who shall decide the petition within sixty days and his decision thereon shall be final. 
17. Punishment.– Whoever contravenes the provisions of the Act and the rules 
made thereunder or the directions or guidelines or orders issued under the Act 
regarding business of acid shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment which 
may extend to three years and fine which may extend to five hundred thousand 
rupees and in case of non -payment of fine, he shall undergo for an imprisonment of 
three months. 
18. Cognizance and trial .– (1) An offence under the Act shall be cognizable, 
non-bailable, non-compoundable and triable by the Court in the manner provided in 
the Code. 
 (2) The licensing authority or his authorized officer on his own information 
or on a complaint received to him, may make an application, in writing, to the nearest 
police station for registration of a case against the person violating the provision of 
the Act or the rules made thereunder and an officer not below the rank of Sub -
Inspector shall investigate the matter after registration of the case. 
19. Negligence in business of acid .- (1) In case, negligence in business of acid 
resulting in any harm to human body or property is established, the licensee shall be 
liable to be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years but not less 
than two years and fine which may extend to one million rupees but not less than two 
hundred thousand rupees.  
(2) In addition to the punishment provided under sub -section (1), the 
compensation determined by the Court for the loss occurred due to such negligence, 
shall also be payable to the aggrieved person. 
20. Indemnity.- No legal proceedings shall lie against licensing authority or any 
officer authorized by him for damages for any act done in good faith, or ordered to be 
done in pursuance of any provision of the Act and the rules.   
21. Power to make rules .- The Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, make rules for the purposes of the Act.  
22. Power to amend the Schedule.- The Government, may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, amend the Schedule.  
23. Overriding effect .- The provisions of this Act shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force on the 
subject.  
24. Removal of difficulties .- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to or applying 
the provisions of the Act, the  Government may make such order, not inconsistent 
with the Act, as may be necessary for removing the difficulty. 
 
SCHEDULE 
[see section 2(s)] 
FORM-I 
Sr. No. Name of Acid 
1. NITRIC ACID  
2. AQUA REGIA  
3. SULFURIC ACID  
4. HYDROCHLORIC ACID  
5. PHOSPHORIC ACID  
6. PERCHLORIC ACID  
7. HYDROIODIC ACID  
8. HYDROBROMIC ACID  
9. ACETIC ACID  
10. FORMIC ACIDS  
11. HYDROFLUORIC ACID  
12. FORMALDEHYDE  
13. CHROMIC ACID  
14. SODIUM HYDROXIDE  
15. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE  
16. BARRIUM HYDROXIDE  
17. STRONCIUM HYDROXIDE  
18. AMIDE, METAL  
19. ACETYL CHLORIDE  
20. ANHYDROUS PHENOLS  
21. CAUSTIC SODA  
22. CARBOLIC ACID  
23. CALCIUM HYDROXIDE  
24. ANHYDROUS HALOGENS (F, Cl, Br, I)  
25. ZINC CHLORIDE  
26. SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE  
27. CAUSTIC POTASH  
28. DIMETHYL SULFATE  
29. BENZYL CHLOFORMATE  
30. SODIUM HYDRIDE  
  
  
  
 
 
FORM-II 
[See section 4(1)] 
To  
The Deputy Commissioner/Licensing Authority,  
------------------------------  
Subject:-  APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF LICENCE FOR THE BUSINESS OF ACID  
Sir,   
I (Applicant Name / Company Name / Firm Name) having CNIC / NTN No. 
___________________________ with a contact number___________ ___ require a license for 
business of acid in respect to the business premises _______ (Address of 
Premises)______________  
I intend to carry on the business of ______________________.  
2. I may kindly be permitted and granted a license for carrying on the said business for two 
years (Years).  
3. I under-take to abide by all the provisions of the act and applicable to the subject matter, as 
directed and conveyed by the Government of the Punjab from time to time.  
4. I assure that I will keep only the following acids in the quantity and quality mentioned against 
each [mention the name, quantity and quality of each acid] or as may be allowed:-  
Sr. No. Name of the Acid Quality (Concentration) Quantity 
        
        
  
5. After the expiry of the license period, I will myself apply for renewal of the license.   
6. I will observe all the conditions for grant of license that are;  
i. observe the prescribed terms and conditions under this Act;  
ii. keep the license at the licensed premises, displayed at a conspicuous place in the 
business premises, and shall bound to produce the same on demand;  
iii. not in any case use or allow to be used licen se for any purpose other than the one for 
which it has been issued;  
iv. get my license renewed after every two years in the month of July;  
v. intimate the Licensing Authority on closing of the business;  
vi. required to maintain a record of sale of acid in prescribed manner;  
vii. required to business under my personal supervision;   
viii. provide the Licensing Authority on quarterly basis with record of stock and sale of 
acids.  
  
 Applicant’s signature___________________   
 The following documents are enclosed:  
 (a)  Copy of CNIC of the applicant;  
(b)     (i)   Passport size recent photographs (in case of individual); or 
 (ii)  Certified copy of resolution of Board of Directors (in case of company); or  
  (iii)    Affidavit (in case of firm)  
(c) Description of the premises;  
 
 
(d) Title of the property; and 
(e) Tenancy Agreement, if any.  
  
 
 
FORM-III    
[See section 4(5)]  
To  
 (Name)     
 Address      
Subject: LICENCE / RENEWAL FOR CARRYING ON THE BUSINESS OF ACID  
With reference to your application dated    for grant of license / renewal of 
license, you are hereby granted a license / renewal of license for carrying on the 
business of Acid as required.  
2. During the term of license you will abide by all prescribed terms and 
conditions and bye -laws on the su bject matter and as may be directed or conveyed 
by the Punjab Government from time to time.  
3. The license / renewal is granted to you as per following particulars:-  
4. I under-take to abide by all the provisions of the act and rules applicable to the 
subject matter, as directed an conveyed by the {Punjab Government} from time to 
time. 
5. After the expiry of the license period, I will myself apply for renewal of the 
license.  
Name          
Father’s / Husband’s Name      
C.N.I.C No.        
Term of license 1st July, 20----- to 30th June, 20----- 
License Fee Paid       
Address        
Description of Premises      
Maximum quantity of each Acid allowed to retain: 
Sr. No. Name of Acid Maximum Quantity to be retained at a 
time 
   
   
 
 
 
LICENSING AUTHORITY  
  
 
 
FORM-IV 
[See section 7(1)] 
Name of Licensee.      License No.      
To  
 (Name)     
 Address      
 
Subject: REVOCATION OF LICENCE  
With reference to the license issued by this department in your favor dated   for 
carrying on the business of acid at   in the jurisdiction of District. 
2. It is intimated that your license has been revoked on the following grounds: 
 (i)          
 (ii)          
 (iii)          
 
 
LICENSING AUTHORITY  
  
 
 
FORM-V 
[See section 10 (1)] 
 
REGISTER / RECORD  
 
 
Name of Licensee.      License No.     
Name of Acid    
Permission No. and Date  
Quantity Sold  
Date of Sale  
Name and address of purchase with 
CNIC No. 
 
Purpose of which the Acid was sold  
Signature and thumb impression of the 
purchaser 
 
Signature of vendor / licensee  
 
 Note: Attested copy of the permission shall be annexed. 
 
 
FORM-VI 
[See section 13] 
[Name of District] 
Name and address of the applicant 
License No. [if granted] 
Date of issue 
License renewed on ------------ or otherwise 
Reasons for rejection of license [in case of rejection]