PUNJAB DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN ACT 2004

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THE PUNJAB DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN 
ACT 2004 
(XVIII of 2004) 
CONTENTS 
PART I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Saving 
3. Definitions 
4. Initiation of proceedings about child under Part VII of this Act 
PART II 
CHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE BUREAU 
5. Establishment of the Bureau 
6. Board of Governors 
7. Removal of a Member 
8. Casual vacancy 
9. Powers and functions of the Board 
10. Management 
11. Committees of the Board 
12. Special committee of the Bureau for a local area 
13. Director General 
14. Annual progress report 
PART III 
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICERS AND CHILD PROTECTION UNIT 
15. Appointment of the child protection officers 
16. Child protection unit 
17. Supervision and control of members of the unit 
 
PART IV 
DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN’S 
WELFARE FUND 
18. Destitute and Neglected Children’s Welfare Fund 
19. Audit of the Fund 
PART V 
CHILD PROTECTION INSTITUTIONS 
20. Establishment and recognition of child protection institutions 
20A. Registration of an organization 
21. Administration and management of child protection institutions 
PART VI 
CHILD PROTECTION COURTS 
22. Establishment of the Child Protection Court 
23. Powers and functions of the Court 
PART VII 
RESCUE, CUSTODY, CARE, 
PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF 
DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN 
24. Rescue of destitute and neglected children 
25. Temporary custody 
26. Court may direct production of child by parent or guardian 
27. Examination of person producing or reporting 
28. Entrustment of the custody of destitute and neglected child 
29. Sending of child having place of residence outside jurisdiction 
30. Warrant to research for child 
31. False, frivolous or vexatious information 
32. Period of custody 
33. Contribution of parents 
PART VIII 
SPECIAL OFFENCES RELATING TO CHILDREN 
34. Unauthorized custody 
35. [Omitted]  
36. Employing for begging 
36A. Sale of goods for begging 
36B. Inciting child for rag picking 
37. Giving intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug to child 
38. Permitting child to enter places where liquor or narcotic drugs are sold 
39. Inciting child to bet or borrow 
40. [Omitted] 
41. Abetting escape of child 
42. Cognizance of offence 
43. Application of the Code 
PART IX 
MISCELLANEOUS 
44. Discharge of a child from a child protection institution or from the care of 
any person to whose care he was entrusted 
45. Transfers between institutions of like nature  in different parts of 
Pakistan 
46. Officers to be public servants 
47. Protection of action taken under this Act 
48. Act to over-ride other laws 
49. Power of Government to make rules 
50. Power of Bureau to frame regulations 
51. Repeal and Saving 
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN ACT 2004 
(XVIII of 2004) 
[22nd June, 2004] 
An 
Act 
to consolidate the law for the rescue, protective custody, care and rehabilitation of 
destitute and neglected children in the Province of the Punjab. 
Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to consolidate the law for the rescue, protectiv e 
custody, care and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children in the Province of 
the Punjab other than those involved in criminal litigation; 
 It is hereby enacted as follows:– 
PART I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. – (1) This Act may be called the 
Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act 2004. 
(2) It extends to the Province of the Punjab. 
(3) It shall come into force at once but shall take effect in such areas and 
from such date as the Government may, by notification, specify. 
2. Saving.– The Government may, by notification, direct that all or any of the 
provisions of this Act shall not apply to any class of children in the Province or in any 
particular area. 
3. Definitions.– (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requ ires, the 
following expressions shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to 
them, that is to say– 
(a) “begging” means– 
(i) soliciting or receiving alms in a public or private place; 
(ii) 
2
[exposing or exhibiting any sore, wound or deformity of an 
influenced child or a child under coercion at any place for purposes 
of seeking alms or otherwise; and] 
(iii) having no visible or known means of subsistence and found 
wandering about with the ostensible object of soliciting or 
receiving alms; 
                                                 
1This Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly on 7 June 2004; assented to by the Governor  of the Punjab on 17 June 2004; 
and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22 June 2004, pages 1637 to 1646. 
2Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Ac t 2017 (XIV of 2017 ), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp.1589.1591, s.2 
(b) “Board” means Board of Governors established under section 6 of this 
Act; 
(c) “brothel” means any house, part of a house, room or place in which a 
prostitute carries on prostitution or any place or institution where facilities 
are known to be available for prostitution; 
(d) “Bureau” means Child Protection and Welfare Bureau established 
under section 5 of this Act; 
(e) “child” means a natural person who has not attained the age of 
eighteen years; 
(f) “child protection institution” means an institution for the adm ission, 
care, protection and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children 
established or recognized under this Act or the rules; 
(g) “child protection officer” means a person appointed under section 15 of 
this Act; 
(h) “child protection unit” means a  child protection unit established by the 
Bureau for a local area under section 16; 
(i) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898); 
(j) “Court” means a Child Protection Court established or any Court 
exercising powers of a Child Protection Court under this Act; 
(k) “destitute and neglected child” means a child who– 
(i) is found begging; or 
(ii) is found without having any home or settled place of abode and 
without any ostensible means of subsistence; or 
(iii) has a parent or guardian who is unfit or incapacitated to 
exercise control over the child; or 
(iv) lives in brothel or with a prostitute or frequently visits any place 
being used for the purpose of prostitution or is found to 
associate with any prostitute or any other person who l eads an 
immoral or depraved life; or 
(v) is being or is likely to be abused or exploited for immoral or 
illegal purpose or unconscionable gain; or  
(vi) is beyond the parental control; or  
(vii) has lost his parents or one of the parents and has no adequat e 
source of income; or 
(viii) is victim of an offence punishable under this Act or any other law 
for the time being in force and his parent or guardian is 
convicted or accused for the commission of such offence; 
3
[or] 
4
[(ix) is at risk owing to disability or child labour; or 
                                                 
3Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children  (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 
(x) is imprisoned with the mother or is born in a jail; or 
(xi) is abandoned by the parents or guardian;] 
(l) “Fund” means the Destitute and Neglected Children’s Welfare Fund 
established under section 18 of this Act; 
(m) “Government” me ans the Government of the Punjab in the Home 
Department; 
(n) 
5
[“local area” means a division, district or tehsil as defined in the Punjab 
Land Revenue Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967);] 
(o) “Member” means Member of the Board; 
(p) “narcotic drug” means any article defined as “narcotic drug” in the 
Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 (XXV of 1997); 
(q) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules; 
(r) “prostitution” means illegal sexual intercourse for hire, whether for 
money or kind; 
(ra) 
6
[“protection” means she lter, maintenance, education, healthcare and 
well-being of a destitute and neglected child and includes assignme nt 
of custody of such a child;] 
(s) “Province” means the Province of the Punjab; 
7
[* * * * * *] 
 
8
[(sa) “rag picking” means collection, from any  public place of rags, trash, 
waste material including any substance hazardous to the health; and] 
(t) “suitable person” means a person suitable for the custody of the 
destitute and neglected child. 
(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined in this Act but 
defined in the Code or the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2000 (XXII of 2000) 
shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that Code or the 
Ordinance. 
4. Initiation of proceedings about child under Part VII of this Act. – (1) 
Proceedings under Part VII of this Act can only be initiated about a child who has not 
attained the age of fifteen years notwithstanding that during the course of such 
proceedings he may have attained the age of fifteen years. 
(2) In case of any dispute as t o the age of a child, the Court shall decide 
the same in the first instance. 
                                                                                                                                                        
4Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 
5Substituted by the Punja b Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 2017), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 
6Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 
7Omitted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 
8Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7, published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 
PART II 
CHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE BUREAU 
5. Establishment of the Bureau. – (1) As soon as may be after the 
commencement of this Act, the Government shall establish a bureau to b e known as 
the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. 
(2) The Bureau shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and 
a common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire land in 
accordance with law and hold properties both m ovable and immovable and may sue 
and be sued by the said name. 
(3) The Government may transfer state land or building, free of cost, to be 
utilized for the purpose for which the Bureau is established. 
9
[6. Board of Governors .– (1) The Bureau shall have a B oard of Governors 
comprising the following:– 
(a) Chief Minister of the Punjab; Patron-in-Chief 
(b) Secretary to the Government,  
 Home Department; Member 
(c) Secretary to the Government, Member 
Social Welfare Department; 
(d) Secretary to the Government Member 
Local Government Department; 
(e) three Members of the Provincial Assembly Members 
of the Punjab to be appointed by the Government, 
two from the treasury benches and one from 
the opposition; provided that 
10
[at least one of them shall be 
a female member of the Assembly and] the Leader of the 
Opposition shall nominate the Opposition Member; 
(f) two donors or representatives of donor Members 
agencies 
11
[including at least one woman] to be appointed 
by the Government for a term of four years; 
(g) two professors of sociology, psychology Members 
or related social sciences 
12
[including at least one  
female Professor] to be appointed  
by the Government for a specified term; 
(h) six persons 
13
[including at least two women] to be  
 appointed by the non-official 
Government for a term of four years; and Members 
                                                 
9Substituted by the Punjab Destitu te and Neglect ed Children ( Amendment) Act 20 25 (LXXXIII of 2025); and published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 11.11.2025, pages 2321-2322, s.2. 
10Inserted by the Punjab Fair Representation of Women Act 2014 (IV of 2014) ; and was published in the Punjab Gaz ette 
(Extraordinary), dated 12.3.2014, pages 2733-2744,  see s.2 and Schedule, at serial No.45 . 
11Inserted ibid. 
12Inserted ibid. 
13Inserted ibid. 
(i) Director General. Member/Secretary 
(2) The Government shall not appoint a person as non -official Member 
unless he– 
(a) holds a Master’s Degree, or equivalent or a higher Degree; and 
(b) has at least five years’ experience in the related field. 
(3) The Government shall appoint the Chairperson of the Board from 
amongst the Members on such terms and conditions as may be specified. 
(4) A Member shall not be appointed as a Chairperson of the Board for 
more than 14[three] consecutive terms. 
(5) The Chairperson shall hold office during the pleasure of the Government 
and may resign from his office by tendering his resignation to the Government. 
(6) The Chairperson shall exercise the powers and the functions as may 
be delegated to him by the Board. 
(7) Five Members, including two ex -officio Members, shall constitute the 
quorum for a meeting of the Board. 
(8) The Patron-in-Chief, and in his absence, the Chairperson shall preside 
a meeting of the Board.  
(9) Subject to quorum, t he Board shall take decision by majority of the 
members present and voting and the person presiding shall have the casting vote. 
(10) A Member shall not be entitled to any perks and privileges. 
(11) A Secretary to the Government may be represented in the m eeting of 
the Board by an officer of the Department not being below the rank of an Additional 
Secretary.] 
7. Removal of a Member.– (1) A Member, not being an ex-officio Member, shall 
hold office during the pleasure of the Government. 
(2) The Government may  remove any such Member during the tenure of 
his office in the manner as may be prescribed. 
(3) A Member, not being an ex -officio Member, may resign from his office 
by tendering his resignation to the Government. 
8. Casual vacancy. – Any vacancy caused due to the death, resignation or 
removal of a Member other than an ex -officio Member, shall be filled in by the 
Government through appointment of another person as Member and such appointee 
shall, subject to the provisions of section 7, hold such office for th e unexpired term of 
his predecessor. 
9. Powers and functions of the Board.– Subject to the provisions of this Act, the 
Board shall exercise such powers and take such measures as may be necessary for 
carrying out the purposes of this Act, including– 
                                                 
14Substituted for the word "two"  by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of  2025), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pages 2321-2322, s.2. 
(a) to take steps for the establishment of a Fund in the manner hereinafter 
provided, for carrying out the purposes of the Bureau; 
(b) to establish, manage and recognize child protection institutions; 
(c) to exercise control over child protection institutions and  look after the 
operation and maintenance of all essential services provided in the 
institutions; 
(d) to regulate the affairs of the child protection institutions; 
(e) to arrange, purchase or acquire land wherever necessary within the 
Province; 
(f) to supe rvise prosecution of the persons accused of the offences 
created under this Act; 
(g) to sell or dispose of assets, movable or immovable, of the Bureau in 
the manner as may be determined by the Board; 
(h) to appoint and authorize employees with the designat ions and the 
terms and conditions as the Board may determine; 
(i) to authorize spending from the Fund; 
(j) to delegate any of these powers and functions to a Member, Members, 
official or officials of the Bureau; 
(k) to regulate its meetings and all matters  connected with or ancillary to a 
meeting; and 
(l) to do such acts as are ancillary and incidental to the above functions. 
10. Management.– Executive authority and management of the Bureau shall vest 
in the Board. 
11. Committees of the Board.– The Board may constitute committees with such 
powers, as may be delegated by the Board for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
12. Special committee of the Bureau for a local area. – (1) The Board may 
constitute special committee of the Bureau for a local area. 
(2) The special committee shall consist of such members with the powers 
and functions of the Bureau, as may be devolved upon it by the Board. 
13. Director General.– (1) There shall be a Director General of the Bureau who 
shall also be the chief executive of the Bureau. 
(2) The Director General shall be appointed by the Government for a 
specified term. 
(3) The Director General shall exercise such powers and perform such 
functions as may be determined by the Board. 
(4) The Director General may resign, during the term of his office, by 
tendering his resignation to the Government. 
(5) The Government may remove the Director General, during the tenure 
of his office, in the manner as may be prescribed. 
14. Annual progress report. – (1) The Director General shall prepare  an annual 
progress report at the end of each financial year. 
(2) This report shall be submitted in a meeting of the Board, whenever 
such meeting takes place after the preparation of the report. 
PART III 
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICERS AND 
CHILD PROTECTION UNIT 
15. Appointment of the child protection officers.– (1) The Bureau may appoint 
child protection officers to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) The Board shall determine the eligibility for appointment, terms and 
conditions of service of the child protection officers. 
(3) The child protection officer may seek police assistance in performance 
of his duties under the Act or the rules. 
(4) A station house officer shall provide appropriate police assistance to the 
child protection officer, whenever such assistance is sought. 
16. Child protection unit. – (1) There shall be a child protection unit for a local 
area. 
(2) The unit shall consist of such members as the Board may determine. 
(3) The unit shall exercise powers and functions devolved upon it by the 
Bureau. 
17. Supervision and control of members of the unit. – A member of the unit in 
the performance of his duties under this Act or rules, shall be under the control, 
supervision and guidance of the Bureau. 
PART IV 
DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND 
18. Destitute and Neglected Children’s Welfare Fund. – (1) The Bureau and 
each child protection institution shall establish a fund to be known as Destitute and 
Neglected Children’s Welfare Fund. 
(2) The Fund shall consist of all moneys received from any source by the 
Bureau or a child protection institution, as the case may be, for the control, care, 
protection and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children. 
19. Audit of the Fund.– (1) The Fund shall be kept, operated, spent and audited 
in such manner as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Bureau as well as each child protection institution shall make the 
annual audit report of the Fund available to general public as soon as such report is 
prepared. 
PART V 
CHILD PROTECTION INSTITUTIONS 
20. Establishment and recognition of child protection institutions. – (1) The 
Bureau may establish and maintain child protection institutions at any place in the 
Province. 
(2) The Bureau may delegate its powers and functions of managing and 
maintaining any child protection inst itution to a local government or to a non -
governmental organization subject to the terms and conditions as the Board may 
determine. 
(3) The Bureau may recognize any other institution to be a child protection 
institution whether established and maintained b y a local government or any non -
governmental organization. 
(4) The Bureau may establish or recognize any association for the 
aftercare and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children discharged from a 
child protection institution and may regulate it s activities and functions in the 
prescribed manner. 
(5) The Bureau may authorize any person or a body of persons to inspect, 
check and supervise any child protection institution as to whether it is functioning in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules or the regulations.  
(6) In case a child protection institution is found acting in contravention of 
this Act, the rules or the regulations, the Bureau may pass such order as it deems fit 
for the proper management or maintenance of such institution. 
(7) No order shall be passed by the Bureau under sub -section (6) unless 
the existing management is provided with an opportunity of hearing. 
15
[20A. Registration of an organization.– An organization managing accommodation 
for destitute and neglected chi ldren shall register itself with the Bureau within one 
hundred and twenty days from the commencement of the Punjab Destitute and 
Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2017 in the prescribed manner: 
 Provided that if an organization managing accommodation for destitute and 
neglected children does not get itself registered within custody shall be considered 
unauthorized and the person in charge of the organization shall be punished under 
the provision of section 34 of this Act.] 
21. Administration and management of child protection institutions. – Child 
protection institutions shall be managed, maintained and controlled in the manner as 
may be prescribed. 
PART VI 
CHILD PROTECTION COURTS 
22. Establishment of the Child Protection Court. – (1) The Government may, 
by notification, establish one or more Courts under this Act for a local area. 
(2) The Government may appoint presiding officer of the Court established 
for the purpose of this Act in consultation with the Lahore High Court and may lay 
down the qualifications, terms and conditions for the presiding officers. 
                                                 
15Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 2017), , published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.3 
(3) Until a Court is established for a local area, the Lahore High Court may 
confer powers of the Court for a local area upon a Sessions Judge or an Additional 
Sessions Judge. 
23. Powers and functions of th e Court.– (1) The Court shall exercise powers 
conferred and functions assigned to it under the provisions of this Act or the rules. 
(2) The Court shall finally decide a case within one month from the date of 
production of a child before it. 
(3) Provisions of the Code and the Qanun -e-Shahadat Order, 1984 (P.O. 
No. X of 1984), unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act or the rules, shall not 
apply to proceedings before the Court. 
(4) No appeal or revision shall lie against any order of the Court, howeve r, 
the Court may, at any stage, recall or modify its earlier order in the interest of justice. 
(5) The Court, exercising powers under this Act, shall be deemed to be a 
Court of Sessions in terms of section 476 of the Code. 
PART VII 
RESCUE, CUSTODY, CARE, PROTECTION 
AND REHABILITATION OF DESTITUTE AND 
NEGLECTED CHILDREN 
16
[24. Rescue of destitute and neglected children. – A child protection officer may 
take into custody a destitute and neglected child and produce him along with the 
complaint before a court wit hin twenty four hours of taking the child into such 
custody: 
 Provided that a child protection officer may, before taking a child into custody 
examine the child to satisfy himself that he is a destitute and neglected child: 
 Provided further that where a destitute and neglected child is in the custody of 
his parent or guardian, the officer shall not take him into  custody but shall in the first 
instance make a report to the Court, unless the child is founded begging or is a 
victim of an offence alleged to have been committed by his parent or guardian.] 
25. Temporary custody.– Whenever a destitute and neglected child is taken into 
custody in accordance with section 24, he shall immediately be produced before the 
Court and if immediate production of the child b efore the Court is not possible due to 
any reason, shall immediately be taken to the nearest child protection institution for 
temporary custody till his production before the Court within the stipulated time. 
26. Court may direct production of child by parent or guardian.– The Court to 
which a report is made under the first proviso of section 24, may – 
(i) call upon such parent or guardian to produce the child before it and 
show cause why the said child should not, during the pendency of the 
proceedings, be removed from his custody; and may order the child to 
be admitted in a child protection institution or on suitable surety being 
                                                 
16Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2017 (XIV of 2017), , published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.4 
offered for the safety of such child and for his being brought before it, 
permit the child to remain in the custody of his parent or guardian; or  
(ii) if it appears to the Court that the child is likely to be removed from the 
jurisdiction of the Court or is concealed, may issue a search warrant for 
the production of the child, and order his immediate admission to a 
child protection institution. 
27. Examination of person producing or reporting. – (1) The Court before 
which a child is brought under section 24 or is produced under section 26 shall 
examine on oath the person who has brought the child or made the report and 
record the substance of such examination and may order the admission of the child 
to a child protection institution pending any further inquiry, if any. 
(2) On the date fixed for the production of the child or for the inquiry or on any 
subsequent date to which the proceedings may be adjourned, the Court shall hear and 
record substance of the evidence which may be adduced and consider any cause which 
may be shown why an order directing the child to be admitted to a child protection 
institution or be given in the care of a suitable person should not be passed. 
28. Entrustment of the custody of destitute and neglected child. – (1) If the 
Court is satisfied that the child brought before it, is a destitute and neglected child 
and that it is expedient to deal with him, the Court may order that he be admitted to a 
child protection institution or his custody be entrusted to a suitable person, who is 
able and willing to look after the child, until such child attains the age of eighteen 
years, or in exceptional cases for a shorter period. 
(2) The Court which makes an order for entrusting a child in the custody of 
a suitable person may, when making such an order, require such person to execute 
a bond, with or without sureties, as the Court may require, undertaking to be 
responsible fo r the care, education and well -being of the child and for the 
observance of such other conditions as the Court may impose for ensuring welfare of 
the child. 
(3) The Court that makes an order for entrusting the custody of a child to a 
suitable person under this section may order submission of periodical reports as to 
the welfare of the child to the Court by an authorized officer. 
(4) The Court may from time to time during the custody of a child by an 
authorized person, compel the production of the child in the Court to satisfy itself that the 
conditions of such custody are being carried out. 
(5) If at anytime it appears to the Court, from information received from 
any source that there has been a breach of any condition contained in the bond, it 
may, after ma king such inquiry as it deems fit, order the child to be admitted into a 
child protection institution or be entrusted to the custody of any other suitable 
person. 
29. Sending of child having place of residence outside jurisdiction.– (1) In the 
case of a destitute and neglected child whose ordinary place of residence is not within 
the jurisdiction of the Court, the Court may direct that the child be kept in such custody 
and be produced before a Court having territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence 
of the child or to deal with his custody in any other manner provided in the Act. 
(2) Where a child is produced before a Court on the direction of any other 
Court passed under the foregoing provision of this section, such Court may regulate 
the custody of the child as if the child had been produced before it in terms of section 
24 of this Act. 
30. Warrant to search for child. – (1) If it appears to a Court from information 
received on oath or solemn affirmation laid by any person who, in the opinion of the  
Court, is acting in the interest of the child that there are reasons to believe that a child is 
destitute and neglected child, the Court may issue warrant for the production of the child 
before it. 
(2) The officer executing the warrant shall be accompanie d by the person 
laying the information, if such person so desires and may also, if the Court by whom 
the warrant is issued so directs, be accompanied by a duly qualified medical 
practitioner or the police or both. 
(3) If any such child is brought before th e Court and the Court is satisfied 
that the child is a destitute and neglected child, it may deal with his custody in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
31. False, frivolous or vexatious information. – (1) If in any case in which 
information has be en laid before a Court by any person under the provisions of 
section 30, the Court after such inquiry as it may deem necessary, is of the opinion 
that such information is false, frivolous or vexatious, the Court may, for reasons to be 
recorded in writing, direct that compensation, not exceeding fifty thousand rupees, as 
it may determine, be paid by such informer to the child or to an aggrieved person 
against whom the information was laid. 
(2) Before making any order for the payment of compensation, the Cour t 
shall call upon the informer to show cause why he should not pay compensation. 
(3) The Court may, by its order directing payment of compensation, further 
order that in case of default, the person ordered to pay such compensation shall suffer 
simple imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months. 
(4) No person who has been directed to pay compensation under this 
section shall, by reason of such order, be exempted from any civil or criminal liability 
in respect of the information given by him, but any amo unt paid, as compensation 
shall be taken into account in any subsequent civil suit relating to such matter. 
(5) When an order for payment of compensation is made under sub -
section (1), the compensation shall not be paid to the person ordered to receive it 
before the expiry of one month in order to allow sufficient time to the informant to 
represent against any such order. 
32. Period of custody.– Subject to any order of the Court or any direction of the 
Bureau, a child ordered to be admitted to a child prote ction institution shall be kept in 
such custody till he attains the age of eighteen years. 
33. Contribution of parents. – (1) Where an order has been made for the 
admission of a child into child protection institution or giving the custody of the child 
to a  suitable person, the Court may direct a parent, in a suitable case, to pay 
maintenance of the child at such rates as may be determined by the Court: 
 Provided that while passing any such order, the Court shall take into 
consideration the capacity of the parent to pay maintenance. 
(2) In case of non -compliance of the direction for the payment of 
maintenance issued under sub -section (1), the Court may recover the amount from 
the parent as arrears of land revenue. 
PART VIII 
SPECIAL OFFENCES RELATING TO CHILDREN 
34. Unauthorized custody.– If a person taken a destitute or neglected child in 
custody or keeps him in contravention of the provisions of this Act, he shall be 
punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years but which 
shall not be l ess than three months 17[or] with fine which may extend to one hundred 
thousand rupees but which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees 18[or with 
both.] 
35. 
19
[* * * * * * * * * * * *   ] 
36. Employing for begging.– If a person employs a child for begging or causes a 
child to beg or, having the custody, charge or care of a child, connives at or 
encourages employment of the child for begging or uses a child, connives at 20[or] 
encourages employment of the child, for begging, he shall be punished with 
imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years  but which shall not be less 
than three months and with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees 
but which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees 21[or with both.] 
36A. Sale of goods for beggin g.– If a person  employs or incites a child to sell 
goods with the intention of begging, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term 
which may extend to three years but which shall not be less than three months 22[or] 
with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees but which shall not b e 
less than ten thousand rupees 23[or with both.] 
36B. Inciting child for rag picking. – If a person employs or incites a child for rag 
picking he shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years but 
                                                 
17Substituted for the word "an d" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.3(i) 
 
18Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendmen t) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.3(ii) 
19Omitted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp1589-1591, s.6 
20 Substituted for the word "and" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.4(i) 
 
21Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.4(ii)  
 
22Substituted for the word "and"  by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 20, pp 2321-2322, s.5(i) 
 
23Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.5(ii) 
 
which shall not be less than three months 24[or] with fine which may extend to one 
hundred thousand rupees but which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees 25[or 
with both] 
37. Intoxicating a child.– If a person gives or causes to be given to any child any 
intoxicant or narcotic drug, except on the prescription of a doctor, he shall be 
punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years but which 
shall not be less than six months 26[or] with fine which may extend to three hundred 
thousand rupees but which shall not be le ss than fifty thousand rupees 27[or with 
both] 
38. Permitting child to enter places where liquor or narcotic drugs are sold.– 
Whoever– 
(i) takes a child to any place where an intoxicant is served or consumed; 
or 
(ii) being the proprietor, owner or a person in charge of such place, 
permits a child to enter such place; or 
(iii) Causes or procures a child to go to such place;  
28
[shall be punished 
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years but which 
shall not be less than three months 29[or] with fine which may extend to 
one hundred thousand rupees but which shall not be less than twenty 
five thousand rupees 30[or with both]] 
39. Inciting child to bet or borrow. – Whoever, by words, spoken or written, or 
by signs, or otherwise, incites or attempts to incite a child to make any bet or wager 
or to enter into or take any share or interest in any betting or wagering transaction 
shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or 
with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees or with both. 
40. 
31
[* * * * * * * * * * * *   ] 
                                                 
24 Substituted for the word "and" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.6(i) 
 
25Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.6(ii) 
 
26Substituted for the word "and"  by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.7(i) 
 
27Substituted by the  Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 20, pp 2321-2322, s.7(ii) 
 
28Amendment by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2017 (XIV of 2017), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.10 
29Substituted for the word "and"  by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.8(i) 
 
30Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025  (LXXXIII of 2025 ),  published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.8(ii) 
 
31Omitted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.11 
41. Abetting escape of child.– Whoever– 
(a) knowingly assists or induces, directly or indirectly, a child admitted in a 
child protection institution to escape from t he institution or from the 
custody of a suitable person to whom custody of the child has been 
entrusted by the Court; or 
(b) knowingly harbors, conceals, connives at or prevents from returning to 
a child protection institution or to any person to whom the custody of 
the child was entrusted by the Court or assists or connives at so doing;  
shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five 
years or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees or with both. 
32
[42. Cognizance of offen ce.– An offence under this Act shall b e cognizable and 
non-bailable.] 
43. Application of the Code. – All offences under this part shall be investigated, 
tried and punished in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the Code. 
PART IX 
MISCELLANEOUS 
44. Discharge of a child from a child protection institution or from the care 
of any person to whose care he was entrusted. – (1) The Bureau may at any time 
order a child to be discharged from a child protection institution, either absolutely or 
on such conditions as the Bureau deems appropriate. 
(2) The Court may, at any stage, on application or otherwise, discharge a 
child from custody of a child protection institution or suitable person, as the case may 
be, either absolutely or on such conditions as the Court deems appropriate. 
45. Transfers between institutions of like nature in different parts of 
Pakistan.– (1) The Bureau may, in consultation with the manager of a child 
protection institution, transfer the custody of the child to any other such institution in 
any part of the Province. 
(2) A destitute and neglected child shall normally be kept in an institution 
that is at or nearest to his place of domicile.  
(3) The Court having jurisdiction over the local area of the Province where 
a child is being kept may ex ercise all the powers of the Court under this Act or the 
rules. 
(4) The Government may direct any child to be transferred from any child 
protection institution in the Province to any institution of like nature in any other 
Province of Pakistan in respect o f which the Government of that Province has made 
provisions similar to this Act under any law for the time being in force: 
 Provided that no child shall be so transferred without the consent of the 
Government of that other Province. 
                                                 
32Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Childre n (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 2017), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.12 
46. Officers to be publ ic servants.– The Officers appointed or authorized under 
this Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the 
Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (XLV of 1860). 
47. Protection of action taken under this Act. – No suit, prosecution or other 
legal proceeding shall be instituted or entertained against any person, acting or 
purporting to act under this Act or the rules, in good faith and for the welfare of a 
child. 
48. Act to over -ride other laws. – Provisions of this Act shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force. 
49. Power of Government to make rules. – The Government may, by 
notification, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
50. Power of Bureau to frame regulations.– Subject to the provisions of this Act 
and the rules, the Bureau may frame regulations for giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act. 
51. Repeal and Saving. – (1) The Punjab Children Ordinance, 1983 (XXII of 
1983) is hereby repealed. 
(2) The Punjab Youthful Offenders Ordinance, 1983 (XXIII of 1983) is also 
hereby repealed. 
(3) The Punjab Supervision and Control of Children Homes Act, 1976 (XVI 
of 1976) is also hereby repealed. 
(4) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Ordinances and the Act anything 
done, action  taken, obligation, liability, penalty or punishment incurred, inquiry or 
proceeding commenced, officer appointed or person authorized, jurisdiction or power 
conferred, rule made and order or notification issued under any of the provisions of 
the said Ordinances or the Act shall, if not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, 
be continued and so far as may be, deemed to have been respectively done, taken, 
incurred, commenced, appointed, authorized, conferred, made or issued under this 
Act. 
(5) All Chi ldren Homes established and functioning under the Punjab 
Supervision and Control of Children Homes Act, 1976 (XVI of 1976) shall be deemed 
to be the Child Protection Institutions established or recognized under this Act.