PUNJAB WOMEN HOSTELS AUTHORITY ACT 2023

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THE PUNJAB WOMEN HOSTELS AUTHORITY ACT 2023 
(VII of 2023) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Establishment of the Authority 
4. Composition of the Authority 
5. Meetings 
6. Removal of Chairperson and members 
7. Powers and functions of the Authority 
8. Categorization 
9. Director General 
10. Hostel Inspection Officer 
11.  Powers of Hostel Inspection Officer 
12. Employees of the Authority 
13. Registration of hostels 
14. Improvement notice 
15. Dispute resolution 
16. Failure to comply with directions 
17. Hygiene and safety 
18. False information 
19. Obstructing the Inspection Officer 
20. Hostel without registration 
21. Appeals 
22. Fund 
23. Bank accounts 
24. Budget and accounts 
25. Audit 
26. Annual report 
27. Delegation of powers 
28. Public servants 
29. Immunity 
30. Bar of jurisdiction 
31. Rules 
32. Regulations 
33. Power to remove difficulties 
 
  
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB WOMEN HOSTELS AUTHORITY ACT 2023 
(VII of 2023) 
[17 February 2023] 
An 
Act 
to regulate women hostels established in the private sector. 
It is necessary to establish an  Authority to regulate women hostels in the Province 
with an aim to provide safe and standard accommodation facilities to women; and to 
provide the ancillary matters.  
Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: 
CHAPTER I  
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be cited as  the 
Punjab Women Hostels Authority Act 2023. 
(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. 
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by 
notification, appoint and different dates may be so appointed for different areas. 
2. Definitions.– In this Act: 
(a) “Act” means the Punjab Women Hostels Authority Act 2023. 
(b) “Authority” means the Women Hostels Authority established under the 
Act; 
(c) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Authority; 
(d) “Director General” means Director General o f the Authority appointed 
under the Act; 
(e) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 
(f) “hostel” means a building or premises established or  used in the 
private sector as a women hostel; 
(g) “Hostel Inspection Officer” means a female officer appointed  as Hostel 
Inspection Officer under the Act; 
(h) “Operator” means a person who owns, runs or operates a hostel 
(i)  “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or the regulations; 
(j)  “resident” means a woman who is residing in a hostel; 
(k) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act; and 
(l) “rules” means the rules made under the Act. 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 09 January 2023; and was assented to by Governor of the 
Punjab on 23 January 2023; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 17 February 2023, pp.3875-3880. 
CHAPTER II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF WOMEN  
HOSTELS AUTHORITY 
3. Establishment of the Authority.– (1) The Government shall, by notification 
in the official Gazette, establish  an Authority to be called the Women Hostels 
Authority. 
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession 
and a common seal, with power s to enter into contract, acquire or dispose of 
property subject to subsection (3), and may, by its name, sue or be sued. 
(3) The Authority shall acquire and disp ose of the property with the prior 
permission of the Government. 
4. Composition of the Authority.– (1) The Authority shall consist of a 
Chairperson and the following members: 
(a) Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department; 
(b) Secretary to the Government, Primary and Secondary Healthcare 
Department; 
(c) Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal 
Department; 
(d) Secretary to the Government, Labour and Human Resource Department; 
(e) Secretary to the Government, Specialized Healthcare and Medical 
Education Department; 
(f) Secretary to the Government, Finance Department; 
(g) Secretary to the Government, Local Government and Community 
Development Department; 
(h) Secretary to the Government, Housing, Urban Development and Public 
Health Engineering Department; 
(i) three female members of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, including 
one female member from the opposition, to be nominated by the  
Speaker of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab ; 
(j) one representative of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 
Lahore; 
(k) one representative of Operators; 
(l) Director General, Women Hostels Authority Member/Secretary; and 
(m) three non-official members belonging to the relevant field. 
(2) The Government shall  appoint the Chairperson and the  non-official 
members of the Authority for a renewable term of three years on such terms and 
conditions as may be prescribed: 
provided that the Chairperson and the non -official mem bers shall not be 
appointed for more than two terms, whether consecutive or otherwise. 
 (3) The Chairperson or a member, other than an ex-officio member, may 
resign from his office by serving one month’s notice in writing to the Government. 
 (4) No act or proceedings of the Authority shall be questioned or invalidated 
merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy or defect in the composition of the 
Authority. 
5. Meetings.– (1) The Authority shall meet at least once in a quarter, at such 
place and at such time and shall observe such procedure in relation to transaction of 
business at its meetings as may be prescribed. 
(2) The meetings of the Auth ority shall be presided over by the 
Chairperson and, in the absence of the Chairperson by a m ember of the  Authority 
elected for the purpose by the members present in the meeting. 
(3) The quorum for a meeting shall be one half of the total members, the 
fraction being counted as one. 
(4) The Secretary of the Authority may, with the prior approval of the 
Chairperson, call a meeting of the Authority. 
(5) The Authority may, with the prior approval of the Government , co-opt 
any other person as a member. 
(6) The official members may be represented in a meeting of the Authority 
through their authorized representatives. 
6. Removal of Chairperson and members.– (1) The Government may remove 
from office, the Chairperson or a member, other than an ex-officio member, if he: 
(a) has been adjudicated insolvent; or 
(b) has been convicted of an offence which involves moral turpitude; or 
(c) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as the 
Chairperson or the member; or 
(d) has abused his position and rendered his continuance in the office 
prejudicial to public interest. 
(2) The Chairperson or a member shall not be removed from office except 
after affording him a reasonable opportunity of hearing. 
7. Powers and fu nctions of the Authority.– (1) The Authority shall regulate 
and monitor the hostels to ensure provision of safe and  standard residences to 
women. 
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection (1), the Authority, in 
relation to the hostels, shall have the powers to: 
(a) formulate and enforce standards, procedures, processes and 
guidelines on business model, category, hygiene and safety of the 
hostels; 
(b) to register the hostels in the prescribed manner; 
(c) determine terms and conditions of service of employees of the 
Authority; 
(d) collect and analyze relevant and technical data; 
(e) regulate Operators and residents to ensure safety and quality control; 
(f) organize training programs and general awareness  on safety and 
standards; 
(g) levy fee for  registration of hostels  and the renewal thereof in the 
prescribed manner; 
(h) liaise with national and international organizations for exchange of best 
practices; 
(i) approve the Budget of the Authority and to re-appropriate funds; 
(j) evaluate and monitor the implementation of the decision of the 
Authority; and 
(k) perform such other functions  as may be necessary for the discharge of 
its functions under the Act. 
8. Categorization.– (1) The Authority may categorize the hostels based on the 
international best practices in such manner as may be prescribed. 
(2) Upon categorization  under subsection (1), the Authority shall issue a 
certificate showing the category of the hostel, and the Operator shall display such 
certificate at a conspicuous place of the hostel premises. 
9. Director General.– (1) The Government may appoint a Director General in such 
manner and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Director General shall hold o ffice during the pleasure of  the 
Government. 
(3) The Director General shall be the Secretary of the Authority. 
(4) The Director General shall be responsible for accomplishing the 
objectives of th e Act and for efficient implementation of the Act, the rules and the 
regulations. 
(5) The Director General shall exercise such powers as are mentioned in 
the Act or as may be prescribed or delegated to him by the Authority. 
10. Hostel Inspection Officer.– (1) The Authority may, by notification  in the 
official Gazette, appoint such number of Hostel Inspection Officers for such areas or 
districts as it may deem fit. 
 (2) Notwithstanding anything  contained in subsection (1 ), the Authority 
may confer the powers of Hostel Inspection Officer on a Government servant. 
11.  Powers of Hostel Inspection Officer.– (1) A Hostel Inspection Officer may: 
(a) issue improvement notice to any hostel, which  appears to  him to be  
working in contravention of the Act, the rules or the regulations; 
(b) enter or seal any  hostel which he believes is operating or carrying on 
business in contravention of the Act; 
(c) impose fine on an Operator; 
(d) examine any book or documents with respect to any hostel; and 
(e) demand identity card, registration certificate, or any  other ancillary  
document from an Operator. 
12. Employees of the Authority. – The Authority may appoint, determine the 
number, categories, rank and terms and c onditions of service of employees of the 
Authority. 
CHAPTER III 
REGISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM 
13. Registration of hostels.– No hostel shall be operated unless it has been 
registered with the Authority on such form and in such manner as may be 
prescribed. 
14. Improvement notice.– (1) If a n Hostel  Inspection Officer  has reason  to 
believe that any Operator has failed to comply with any provision of the Act, the rules 
or the regulations, he may serve an improvement notice upon such Operator: 
(a) stating the grounds for believing that the Operator has failed to comply 
with any provision of the Act or the rules or the regulations; 
(b) specifying the matter which constitute s non-compliance on the part of 
the Operator; 
(c) intimating the measures which the  Operator is bound to take to ensure 
compliance; and 
(d) specifying the time period within which the Operator has to ensure 
compliance. 
(2) If the Operator fails to comply with the improvement notice within the 
specified time, the Hostel Inspection Officer may recommend to the Director General 
for suspension or cancellation of registration  of the hostel or taking any other action 
provided under the Act. 
(3) On receipt of a recommendation under subsection (2), the Director 
General may make an appropriate order. 
15. Dispute resolution.– (1) In case any dispute arises between  a resident and 
an Operator, the matter may be  referred to the Director General, in writing, within 
seven days of the incidence of dispute. 
(2) The Director General shall call  the resident and the Operator 
concerned along with the relevant record  within seven days of the receipt of 
reference. 
(3) The Director General shall resolve the dispute  by making an order  in 
writing, after affording opportunity of hearing to the parties within fifteen days of the 
concluding hearing. 
(4) The Director General may delega te his powers to any of the officers of 
the Authority. 
CHAPTER IV 
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 
16. Failure to comply with directions.– If an Operator, without reasonable 
cause, fails to comply with any order or notice issued by the Authority or an Hostel 
Inspection Officer, he shall be liable to fine which may extend to  rupees fifteen 
thousand. 
17. Hygiene and safety.– If an Operator contravenes the prescribed standards of 
hygiene and safety, he shall be liable to cancellation of hostel registration or fine up 
to rupees ten thousand. 
18. False information.– If an Operator furnishes or gives false or misleading 
statement or information, or produces any fals e or misleading document before  the 
Authority or  an Inspection Officer, he may be liable  to cancellation  of his hostel 
registration or fine up to rupees twenty five thousand. 
19. Obstructing the Inspection Officer.– (1) Any person, who obstructs a n 
Hostel Inspection Officer in the performance of her duties, shall be liable to fine up to 
rupees ten thousand for first contravention and up to  rupees twenty thousand  for 
every subsequent contravention. 
20. Hostel without registration.– If a hostel is operating without registration, it 
shall be liable to be sealed and shall be de -sealed after its registration on such 
conditions and in such manner as may be prescribed. 
21. Appeals.– (1) An appeal against an order or fine imposed by Hostel 
Inspection Officer  may be made to the Director General  within thirty days of such 
order, and the Director General shall decide the appeal within a period of one month. 
(2) Any person aggrieved by  an order of the Director General , except an 
order under subsection (1), may  within fifteen days of the receipt of the order, file an 
appeal before the Secretary, Women Development Department of the Government, 
in such manner as may be prescribed, who shall decide the appeal within thirty days. 
CHAPTER V 
FINANCE AND AUDIT 
22. Fund. – (1) There shall be established a fund to be known as Women Hostels 
Authority Fund to be administered and controlled by the Authority. 
(2) The Fund shall consist of: 
(a) funds provided by the Government; 
(b) loans or grants by the Government; 
(c) grants and funds negotiated and raised, or otherwise obtained by the 
Authority with the prior approval of the Government; 
(d) fee, charges, rentals and fines collected by the Authority; 
(e) income from the lease or sale of the property; and 
(f) all other sums received by the Authority. 
(3) The Authority shall meet all of its expenses from the Fund. 
23. Bank accounts.– The Authority may open and maintain its accounts at the 
scheduled banks. 
24. Budget and accounts.– (1) The Authority shall maintain proper accounts and 
other records relating to its financial affairs including its income and expenditures 
and its assets and liabilities in such form and manner as may be prescribed. 
 (2) After the conclusion of a financial year,  the Authority, in the manner 
prescribed, shall cause to be prepared for the financia l year, statements of account 
of the Authority which shall include a balance  sheet and an account of income and 
expenditures. 
 (3) The Authority shall approve its annual budget for a financial year. 
25. Audit.– (1) The Auditor General of Pakistan shall  annually audit the accounts 
of the Authority. 
(2) The Government, in addition to the au dit under sub -section (1),  may 
cause the accounts of the Authority annually audited by a Chartered Accountant or a 
firm of Chartered Accountants. 
 (3) The auditor appointed under subsection (2) shall be provided such 
access to the books, accounts and other documents as may be considered 
necessary for the audit of accounts. 
 (4) The auditor shall submit the annual  or any special audit report to  the 
Authority, and the Authority shall take appropriate remedial measures or other action 
in the light of the audit report. 
CHAPTER VI 
MISCELLANEOUS 
26. Annual report.– (1) The Authority shall, within three months of the close of a 
financial year, submit to the Government its annual performance report. 
 (2) The Government shall cause the report received under subsection (1) 
lay before Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. 
27. Delegation of powers.– The Authority may delegate, subject to such 
conditions and restrictions as may be specified in the order, any of its functions to a 
body, committee or an officer. 
28. Public servants.– The Chairperson, the members and the employees of the 
Authority shall be deemed to be public servants  within the meaning of section 21 of 
the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860). 
29. Immunity.– No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the 
Authority, the Chairperson, a member or any employee of the Authority for anything 
done in good faith under the Act, the rules or the regulations. 
30. Bar of jurisdiction.– No civil court shall entertain a suit or an application 
against any proceedings taken or order made under the Act. 
31. Rules.– The Government may make rules for carrying out the purposes of the 
Act. 
32. Regulations.– (1) Sub ject to th e Act and the rules,  the Authority may, by 
notification, frame regulations to give effect to the provisions of the Act. 
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the regulations 
may provide for: 
(a) procedure for transaction of business of the Authority; 
(b) standards, categorization and guidelines in relation to any hostel; 
(c) improvement notices and prohibition orders; 
(d) registration procedures; 
(e) inspection of hostels; and 
(f) finances, accounts, budget and reporting procedures. 
33. Power to remove difficulties.– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any 
provision of the Act, the Government may, within two years of the commencement of 
the Act, make such order not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act as may be 
necessary to remove the difficulty.