{ "schema_version": "qanun-law-text/1", "id": "punjab-code-3e580d9eeb1a4f88", "title": "PUNJAB DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN ACT 2004", "source_collection": "Punjab", "content_kind": "stored_law_text", "content_extent": null, "source_url": "https://punjabcode.punjab.gov.pk/en/show_article/ATQGMgQ6W20-", "version": null, "source_snapshot": "2026-08-06T16:54:09Z", "legal_status": "not independently verified", "text_quality": "Complete stored UTF-8 TXT file recovered byte-for-byte from owned Drive. Source transcription retained verbatim; legal completeness, OCR accuracy and current consolidation unverified.", "text_sha256": "6ff946fce521427a4ed5b2ba81b5eb1a26a9405f55c277fd2e512afd89ea896c", "source_sha256": "6ff946fce521427a4ed5b2ba81b5eb1a26a9405f55c277fd2e512afd89ea896c", "text_version_id": "law:punjab-code-3e580d9eeb1a4f88:sha256:6ff946fce521427a4ed5b2ba81b5eb1a26a9405f55c277fd2e512afd89ea896c", "quality_flags": [], "encoding": "UTF-8", "text": "THE PUNJAB DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN \r\nACT 2004 \r\n(XVIII of 2004) \r\nCONTENTS \r\nPART I \r\nPRELIMINARY \r\n1. Short title, extent and commencement \r\n2. Saving \r\n3. Definitions \r\n4. Initiation of proceedings about child under Part VII of this Act \r\nPART II \r\nCHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE BUREAU \r\n5. Establishment of the Bureau \r\n6. Board of Governors \r\n7. Removal of a Member \r\n8. Casual vacancy \r\n9. Powers and functions of the Board \r\n10. Management \r\n11. Committees of the Board \r\n12. Special committee of the Bureau for a local area \r\n13. Director General \r\n14. Annual progress report \r\nPART III \r\nCHILD PROTECTION OFFICERS AND CHILD PROTECTION UNIT \r\n15. Appointment of the child protection officers \r\n16. Child protection unit \r\n17. Supervision and control of members of the unit \r\n \r\nPART IV \r\nDESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN’S \r\nWELFARE FUND \r\n18. Destitute and Neglected Children’s Welfare Fund \r\n19. Audit of the Fund \r\nPART V \r\nCHILD PROTECTION INSTITUTIONS \r\n20. Establishment and recognition of child protection institutions \r\n20A. Registration of an organization \r\n21. Administration and management of child protection institutions \r\nPART VI \r\nCHILD PROTECTION COURTS \r\n22. Establishment of the Child Protection Court \r\n23. Powers and functions of the Court \r\nPART VII \r\nRESCUE, CUSTODY, CARE, \r\nPROTECTION AND REHABILITATION OF \r\nDESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN \r\n24. Rescue of destitute and neglected children \r\n25. Temporary custody \r\n26. Court may direct production of child by parent or guardian \r\n27. Examination of person producing or reporting \r\n28. Entrustment of the custody of destitute and neglected child \r\n29. Sending of child having place of residence outside jurisdiction \r\n30. Warrant to research for child \r\n31. False, frivolous or vexatious information \r\n32. Period of custody \r\n33. Contribution of parents \r\nPART VIII \r\nSPECIAL OFFENCES RELATING TO CHILDREN \r\n34. Unauthorized custody \r\n35. [Omitted] \r\n36. Employing for begging \r\n36A. Sale of goods for begging \r\n36B. Inciting child for rag picking \r\n37. Giving intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug to child \r\n38. Permitting child to enter places where liquor or narcotic drugs are sold \r\n39. Inciting child to bet or borrow \r\n40. [Omitted] \r\n41. Abetting escape of child \r\n42. Cognizance of offence \r\n43. Application of the Code \r\nPART IX \r\nMISCELLANEOUS \r\n44. Discharge of a child from a child protection institution or from the care of \r\nany person to whose care he was entrusted \r\n45. Transfers between institutions of like nature in different parts of \r\nPakistan \r\n46. Officers to be public servants \r\n47. Protection of action taken under this Act \r\n48. Act to over-ride other laws \r\n49. Power of Government to make rules \r\n50. Power of Bureau to frame regulations \r\n51. Repeal and Saving \r\nTEXT \r\n1\r\nTHE PUNJAB DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN ACT 2004 \r\n(XVIII of 2004) \r\n[22nd June, 2004] \r\nAn \r\nAct \r\nto consolidate the law for the rescue, protective custody, care and rehabilitation of \r\ndestitute and neglected children in the Province of the Punjab. \r\nPreamble.– Whereas it is expedient to consolidate the law for the rescue, protectiv e \r\ncustody, care and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children in the Province of \r\nthe Punjab other than those involved in criminal litigation; \r\n It is hereby enacted as follows:– \r\nPART I \r\nPRELIMINARY \r\n1. Short title, extent and commencement. – (1) This Act may be called the \r\nPunjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act 2004. \r\n(2) It extends to the Province of the Punjab. \r\n(3) It shall come into force at once but shall take effect in such areas and \r\nfrom such date as the Government may, by notification, specify. \r\n2. Saving.– The Government may, by notification, direct that all or any of the \r\nprovisions of this Act shall not apply to any class of children in the Province or in any \r\nparticular area. \r\n3. Definitions.– (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requ ires, the \r\nfollowing expressions shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to \r\nthem, that is to say– \r\n(a) “begging” means– \r\n(i) soliciting or receiving alms in a public or private place; \r\n(ii) \r\n2\r\n[exposing or exhibiting any sore, wound or deformity of an \r\ninfluenced child or a child under coercion at any place for purposes \r\nof seeking alms or otherwise; and] \r\n(iii) having no visible or known means of subsistence and found \r\nwandering about with the ostensible object of soliciting or \r\nreceiving alms; \r\n \r\n1This Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly on 7 June 2004; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 17 June 2004; \r\nand, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 22 June 2004, pages 1637 to 1646. \r\n2Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Ac t 2017 (XIV of 2017 ), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp.1589.1591, s.2 \r\n(b) “Board” means Board of Governors established under section 6 of this \r\nAct; \r\n(c) “brothel” means any house, part of a house, room or place in which a \r\nprostitute carries on prostitution or any place or institution where facilities \r\nare known to be available for prostitution; \r\n(d) “Bureau” means Child Protection and Welfare Bureau established \r\nunder section 5 of this Act; \r\n(e) “child” means a natural person who has not attained the age of \r\neighteen years; \r\n(f) “child protection institution” means an institution for the adm ission, \r\ncare, protection and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children \r\nestablished or recognized under this Act or the rules; \r\n(g) “child protection officer” means a person appointed under section 15 of \r\nthis Act; \r\n(h) “child protection unit” means a child protection unit established by the \r\nBureau for a local area under section 16; \r\n(i) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898); \r\n(j) “Court” means a Child Protection Court established or any Court \r\nexercising powers of a Child Protection Court under this Act; \r\n(k) “destitute and neglected child” means a child who– \r\n(i) is found begging; or \r\n(ii) is found without having any home or settled place of abode and \r\nwithout any ostensible means of subsistence; or \r\n(iii) has a parent or guardian who is unfit or incapacitated to \r\nexercise control over the child; or \r\n(iv) lives in brothel or with a prostitute or frequently visits any place \r\nbeing used for the purpose of prostitution or is found to \r\nassociate with any prostitute or any other person who l eads an \r\nimmoral or depraved life; or \r\n(v) is being or is likely to be abused or exploited for immoral or \r\nillegal purpose or unconscionable gain; or \r\n(vi) is beyond the parental control; or \r\n(vii) has lost his parents or one of the parents and has no adequat e \r\nsource of income; or \r\n(viii) is victim of an offence punishable under this Act or any other law \r\nfor the time being in force and his parent or guardian is \r\nconvicted or accused for the commission of such offence; \r\n3\r\n[or] \r\n4\r\n[(ix) is at risk owing to disability or child labour; or \r\n \r\n3Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 \r\n(x) is imprisoned with the mother or is born in a jail; or \r\n(xi) is abandoned by the parents or guardian;] \r\n(l) “Fund” means the Destitute and Neglected Children’s Welfare Fund \r\nestablished under section 18 of this Act; \r\n(m) “Government” me ans the Government of the Punjab in the Home \r\nDepartment; \r\n(n) \r\n5\r\n[“local area” means a division, district or tehsil as defined in the Punjab \r\nLand Revenue Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967);] \r\n(o) “Member” means Member of the Board; \r\n(p) “narcotic drug” means any article defined as “narcotic drug” in the \r\nControl of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997 (XXV of 1997); \r\n(q) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules; \r\n(r) “prostitution” means illegal sexual intercourse for hire, whether for \r\nmoney or kind; \r\n(ra) \r\n6\r\n[“protection” means she lter, maintenance, education, healthcare and \r\nwell-being of a destitute and neglected child and includes assignme nt \r\nof custody of such a child;] \r\n(s) “Province” means the Province of the Punjab; \r\n7\r\n[* * * * * *] \r\n \r\n8\r\n[(sa) “rag picking” means collection, from any public place of rags, trash, \r\nwaste material including any substance hazardous to the health; and] \r\n(t) “suitable person” means a person suitable for the custody of the \r\ndestitute and neglected child. \r\n(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined in this Act but \r\ndefined in the Code or the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2000 (XXII of 2000) \r\nshall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that Code or the \r\nOrdinance. \r\n4. Initiation of proceedings about child under Part VII of this Act. – (1) \r\nProceedings under Part VII of this Act can only be initiated about a child who has not \r\nattained the age of fifteen years notwithstanding that during the course of such \r\nproceedings he may have attained the age of fifteen years. \r\n(2) In case of any dispute as t o the age of a child, the Court shall decide \r\nthe same in the first instance. \r\n \r\n4Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 \r\n5Substituted by the Punja b Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 2017), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 \r\n6Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 \r\n7Omitted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 \r\n8Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7, published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.2 \r\nPART II \r\nCHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE BUREAU \r\n5. Establishment of the Bureau. – (1) As soon as may be after the \r\ncommencement of this Act, the Government shall establish a bureau to b e known as \r\nthe Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. \r\n(2) The Bureau shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and \r\na common seal with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire land in \r\naccordance with law and hold properties both m ovable and immovable and may sue \r\nand be sued by the said name. \r\n(3) The Government may transfer state land or building, free of cost, to be \r\nutilized for the purpose for which the Bureau is established. \r\n9\r\n[6. Board of Governors .– (1) The Bureau shall have a B oard of Governors \r\ncomprising the following:– \r\n(a) Chief Minister of the Punjab; Patron-in-Chief \r\n(b) Secretary to the Government, \r\n Home Department; Member \r\n(c) Secretary to the Government, Member \r\nSocial Welfare Department; \r\n(d) Secretary to the Government Member \r\nLocal Government Department; \r\n(e) three Members of the Provincial Assembly Members \r\nof the Punjab to be appointed by the Government, \r\ntwo from the treasury benches and one from \r\nthe opposition; provided that \r\n10\r\n[at least one of them shall be \r\na female member of the Assembly and] the Leader of the \r\nOpposition shall nominate the Opposition Member; \r\n(f) two donors or representatives of donor Members \r\nagencies \r\n11\r\n[including at least one woman] to be appointed \r\nby the Government for a term of four years; \r\n(g) two professors of sociology, psychology Members \r\nor related social sciences \r\n12\r\n[including at least one \r\nfemale Professor] to be appointed \r\nby the Government for a specified term; \r\n(h) six persons \r\n13\r\n[including at least two women] to be \r\n appointed by the non-official \r\nGovernment for a term of four years; and Members \r\n \r\n9Substituted by the Punjab Destitu te and Neglect ed Children ( Amendment) Act 20 25 (LXXXIII of 2025); and published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 11.11.2025, pages 2321-2322, s.2. \r\n10Inserted by the Punjab Fair Representation of Women Act 2014 (IV of 2014) ; and was published in the Punjab Gaz ette \r\n(Extraordinary), dated 12.3.2014, pages 2733-2744, see s.2 and Schedule, at serial No.45 . \r\n11Inserted ibid. \r\n12Inserted ibid. \r\n13Inserted ibid. \r\n(i) Director General. Member/Secretary \r\n(2) The Government shall not appoint a person as non -official Member \r\nunless he– \r\n(a) holds a Master’s Degree, or equivalent or a higher Degree; and \r\n(b) has at least five years’ experience in the related field. \r\n(3) The Government shall appoint the Chairperson of the Board from \r\namongst the Members on such terms and conditions as may be specified. \r\n(4) A Member shall not be appointed as a Chairperson of the Board for \r\nmore than 14[three] consecutive terms. \r\n(5) The Chairperson shall hold office during the pleasure of the Government \r\nand may resign from his office by tendering his resignation to the Government. \r\n(6) The Chairperson shall exercise the powers and the functions as may \r\nbe delegated to him by the Board. \r\n(7) Five Members, including two ex -officio Members, shall constitute the \r\nquorum for a meeting of the Board. \r\n(8) The Patron-in-Chief, and in his absence, the Chairperson shall preside \r\na meeting of the Board. \r\n(9) Subject to quorum, t he Board shall take decision by majority of the \r\nmembers present and voting and the person presiding shall have the casting vote. \r\n(10) A Member shall not be entitled to any perks and privileges. \r\n(11) A Secretary to the Government may be represented in the m eeting of \r\nthe Board by an officer of the Department not being below the rank of an Additional \r\nSecretary.] \r\n7. Removal of a Member.– (1) A Member, not being an ex-officio Member, shall \r\nhold office during the pleasure of the Government. \r\n(2) The Government may remove any such Member during the tenure of \r\nhis office in the manner as may be prescribed. \r\n(3) A Member, not being an ex -officio Member, may resign from his office \r\nby tendering his resignation to the Government. \r\n8. Casual vacancy. – Any vacancy caused due to the death, resignation or \r\nremoval of a Member other than an ex -officio Member, shall be filled in by the \r\nGovernment through appointment of another person as Member and such appointee \r\nshall, subject to the provisions of section 7, hold such office for th e unexpired term of \r\nhis predecessor. \r\n9. Powers and functions of the Board.– Subject to the provisions of this Act, the \r\nBoard shall exercise such powers and take such measures as may be necessary for \r\ncarrying out the purposes of this Act, including– \r\n \r\n14Substituted for the word \"two\" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pages 2321-2322, s.2. \r\n(a) to take steps for the establishment of a Fund in the manner hereinafter \r\nprovided, for carrying out the purposes of the Bureau; \r\n(b) to establish, manage and recognize child protection institutions; \r\n(c) to exercise control over child protection institutions and look after the \r\noperation and maintenance of all essential services provided in the \r\ninstitutions; \r\n(d) to regulate the affairs of the child protection institutions; \r\n(e) to arrange, purchase or acquire land wherever necessary within the \r\nProvince; \r\n(f) to supe rvise prosecution of the persons accused of the offences \r\ncreated under this Act; \r\n(g) to sell or dispose of assets, movable or immovable, of the Bureau in \r\nthe manner as may be determined by the Board; \r\n(h) to appoint and authorize employees with the designat ions and the \r\nterms and conditions as the Board may determine; \r\n(i) to authorize spending from the Fund; \r\n(j) to delegate any of these powers and functions to a Member, Members, \r\nofficial or officials of the Bureau; \r\n(k) to regulate its meetings and all matters connected with or ancillary to a \r\nmeeting; and \r\n(l) to do such acts as are ancillary and incidental to the above functions. \r\n10. Management.– Executive authority and management of the Bureau shall vest \r\nin the Board. \r\n11. Committees of the Board.– The Board may constitute committees with such \r\npowers, as may be delegated by the Board for carrying out the purposes of this Act. \r\n12. Special committee of the Bureau for a local area. – (1) The Board may \r\nconstitute special committee of the Bureau for a local area. \r\n(2) The special committee shall consist of such members with the powers \r\nand functions of the Bureau, as may be devolved upon it by the Board. \r\n13. Director General.– (1) There shall be a Director General of the Bureau who \r\nshall also be the chief executive of the Bureau. \r\n(2) The Director General shall be appointed by the Government for a \r\nspecified term. \r\n(3) The Director General shall exercise such powers and perform such \r\nfunctions as may be determined by the Board. \r\n(4) The Director General may resign, during the term of his office, by \r\ntendering his resignation to the Government. \r\n(5) The Government may remove the Director General, during the tenure \r\nof his office, in the manner as may be prescribed. \r\n14. Annual progress report. – (1) The Director General shall prepare an annual \r\nprogress report at the end of each financial year. \r\n(2) This report shall be submitted in a meeting of the Board, whenever \r\nsuch meeting takes place after the preparation of the report. \r\nPART III \r\nCHILD PROTECTION OFFICERS AND \r\nCHILD PROTECTION UNIT \r\n15. Appointment of the child protection officers.– (1) The Bureau may appoint \r\nchild protection officers to carry out the purposes of this Act. \r\n(2) The Board shall determine the eligibility for appointment, terms and \r\nconditions of service of the child protection officers. \r\n(3) The child protection officer may seek police assistance in performance \r\nof his duties under the Act or the rules. \r\n(4) A station house officer shall provide appropriate police assistance to the \r\nchild protection officer, whenever such assistance is sought. \r\n16. Child protection unit. – (1) There shall be a child protection unit for a local \r\narea. \r\n(2) The unit shall consist of such members as the Board may determine. \r\n(3) The unit shall exercise powers and functions devolved upon it by the \r\nBureau. \r\n17. Supervision and control of members of the unit. – A member of the unit in \r\nthe performance of his duties under this Act or rules, shall be under the control, \r\nsupervision and guidance of the Bureau. \r\nPART IV \r\nDESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN’S WELFARE FUND \r\n18. Destitute and Neglected Children’s Welfare Fund. – (1) The Bureau and \r\neach child protection institution shall establish a fund to be known as Destitute and \r\nNeglected Children’s Welfare Fund. \r\n(2) The Fund shall consist of all moneys received from any source by the \r\nBureau or a child protection institution, as the case may be, for the control, care, \r\nprotection and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children. \r\n19. Audit of the Fund.– (1) The Fund shall be kept, operated, spent and audited \r\nin such manner as may be prescribed. \r\n(2) The Bureau as well as each child protection institution shall make the \r\nannual audit report of the Fund available to general public as soon as such report is \r\nprepared. \r\nPART V \r\nCHILD PROTECTION INSTITUTIONS \r\n20. Establishment and recognition of child protection institutions. – (1) The \r\nBureau may establish and maintain child protection institutions at any place in the \r\nProvince. \r\n(2) The Bureau may delegate its powers and functions of managing and \r\nmaintaining any child protection inst itution to a local government or to a non -\r\ngovernmental organization subject to the terms and conditions as the Board may \r\ndetermine. \r\n(3) The Bureau may recognize any other institution to be a child protection \r\ninstitution whether established and maintained b y a local government or any non -\r\ngovernmental organization. \r\n(4) The Bureau may establish or recognize any association for the \r\naftercare and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children discharged from a \r\nchild protection institution and may regulate it s activities and functions in the \r\nprescribed manner. \r\n(5) The Bureau may authorize any person or a body of persons to inspect, \r\ncheck and supervise any child protection institution as to whether it is functioning in \r\naccordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules or the regulations. \r\n(6) In case a child protection institution is found acting in contravention of \r\nthis Act, the rules or the regulations, the Bureau may pass such order as it deems fit \r\nfor the proper management or maintenance of such institution. \r\n(7) No order shall be passed by the Bureau under sub -section (6) unless \r\nthe existing management is provided with an opportunity of hearing. \r\n15\r\n[20A. Registration of an organization.– An organization managing accommodation \r\nfor destitute and neglected chi ldren shall register itself with the Bureau within one \r\nhundred and twenty days from the commencement of the Punjab Destitute and \r\nNeglected Children (Amendment) Act 2017 in the prescribed manner: \r\n Provided that if an organization managing accommodation for destitute and \r\nneglected children does not get itself registered within custody shall be considered \r\nunauthorized and the person in charge of the organization shall be punished under \r\nthe provision of section 34 of this Act.] \r\n21. Administration and management of child protection institutions. – Child \r\nprotection institutions shall be managed, maintained and controlled in the manner as \r\nmay be prescribed. \r\nPART VI \r\nCHILD PROTECTION COURTS \r\n22. Establishment of the Child Protection Court. – (1) The Government may, \r\nby notification, establish one or more Courts under this Act for a local area. \r\n(2) The Government may appoint presiding officer of the Court established \r\nfor the purpose of this Act in consultation with the Lahore High Court and may lay \r\ndown the qualifications, terms and conditions for the presiding officers. \r\n \r\n15Inserted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 2017), , published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.3 \r\n(3) Until a Court is established for a local area, the Lahore High Court may \r\nconfer powers of the Court for a local area upon a Sessions Judge or an Additional \r\nSessions Judge. \r\n23. Powers and functions of th e Court.– (1) The Court shall exercise powers \r\nconferred and functions assigned to it under the provisions of this Act or the rules. \r\n(2) The Court shall finally decide a case within one month from the date of \r\nproduction of a child before it. \r\n(3) Provisions of the Code and the Qanun -e-Shahadat Order, 1984 (P.O. \r\nNo. X of 1984), unless otherwise expressly provided by this Act or the rules, shall not \r\napply to proceedings before the Court. \r\n(4) No appeal or revision shall lie against any order of the Court, howeve r, \r\nthe Court may, at any stage, recall or modify its earlier order in the interest of justice. \r\n(5) The Court, exercising powers under this Act, shall be deemed to be a \r\nCourt of Sessions in terms of section 476 of the Code. \r\nPART VII \r\nRESCUE, CUSTODY, CARE, PROTECTION \r\nAND REHABILITATION OF DESTITUTE AND \r\nNEGLECTED CHILDREN \r\n16\r\n[24. Rescue of destitute and neglected children. – A child protection officer may \r\ntake into custody a destitute and neglected child and produce him along with the \r\ncomplaint before a court wit hin twenty four hours of taking the child into such \r\ncustody: \r\n Provided that a child protection officer may, before taking a child into custody \r\nexamine the child to satisfy himself that he is a destitute and neglected child: \r\n Provided further that where a destitute and neglected child is in the custody of \r\nhis parent or guardian, the officer shall not take him into custody but shall in the first \r\ninstance make a report to the Court, unless the child is founded begging or is a \r\nvictim of an offence alleged to have been committed by his parent or guardian.] \r\n25. Temporary custody.– Whenever a destitute and neglected child is taken into \r\ncustody in accordance with section 24, he shall immediately be produced before the \r\nCourt and if immediate production of the child b efore the Court is not possible due to \r\nany reason, shall immediately be taken to the nearest child protection institution for \r\ntemporary custody till his production before the Court within the stipulated time. \r\n26. Court may direct production of child by parent or guardian.– The Court to \r\nwhich a report is made under the first proviso of section 24, may – \r\n(i) call upon such parent or guardian to produce the child before it and \r\nshow cause why the said child should not, during the pendency of the \r\nproceedings, be removed from his custody; and may order the child to \r\nbe admitted in a child protection institution or on suitable surety being \r\n \r\n16Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2017 (XIV of 2017), , published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.4 \r\noffered for the safety of such child and for his being brought before it, \r\npermit the child to remain in the custody of his parent or guardian; or \r\n(ii) if it appears to the Court that the child is likely to be removed from the \r\njurisdiction of the Court or is concealed, may issue a search warrant for \r\nthe production of the child, and order his immediate admission to a \r\nchild protection institution. \r\n27. Examination of person producing or reporting. – (1) The Court before \r\nwhich a child is brought under section 24 or is produced under section 26 shall \r\nexamine on oath the person who has brought the child or made the report and \r\nrecord the substance of such examination and may order the admission of the child \r\nto a child protection institution pending any further inquiry, if any. \r\n(2) On the date fixed for the production of the child or for the inquiry or on any \r\nsubsequent date to which the proceedings may be adjourned, the Court shall hear and \r\nrecord substance of the evidence which may be adduced and consider any cause which \r\nmay be shown why an order directing the child to be admitted to a child protection \r\ninstitution or be given in the care of a suitable person should not be passed. \r\n28. Entrustment of the custody of destitute and neglected child. – (1) If the \r\nCourt is satisfied that the child brought before it, is a destitute and neglected child \r\nand that it is expedient to deal with him, the Court may order that he be admitted to a \r\nchild protection institution or his custody be entrusted to a suitable person, who is \r\nable and willing to look after the child, until such child attains the age of eighteen \r\nyears, or in exceptional cases for a shorter period. \r\n(2) The Court which makes an order for entrusting a child in the custody of \r\na suitable person may, when making such an order, require such person to execute \r\na bond, with or without sureties, as the Court may require, undertaking to be \r\nresponsible fo r the care, education and well -being of the child and for the \r\nobservance of such other conditions as the Court may impose for ensuring welfare of \r\nthe child. \r\n(3) The Court that makes an order for entrusting the custody of a child to a \r\nsuitable person under this section may order submission of periodical reports as to \r\nthe welfare of the child to the Court by an authorized officer. \r\n(4) The Court may from time to time during the custody of a child by an \r\nauthorized person, compel the production of the child in the Court to satisfy itself that the \r\nconditions of such custody are being carried out. \r\n(5) If at anytime it appears to the Court, from information received from \r\nany source that there has been a breach of any condition contained in the bond, it \r\nmay, after ma king such inquiry as it deems fit, order the child to be admitted into a \r\nchild protection institution or be entrusted to the custody of any other suitable \r\nperson. \r\n29. Sending of child having place of residence outside jurisdiction.– (1) In the \r\ncase of a destitute and neglected child whose ordinary place of residence is not within \r\nthe jurisdiction of the Court, the Court may direct that the child be kept in such custody \r\nand be produced before a Court having territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence \r\nof the child or to deal with his custody in any other manner provided in the Act. \r\n(2) Where a child is produced before a Court on the direction of any other \r\nCourt passed under the foregoing provision of this section, such Court may regulate \r\nthe custody of the child as if the child had been produced before it in terms of section \r\n24 of this Act. \r\n30. Warrant to search for child. – (1) If it appears to a Court from information \r\nreceived on oath or solemn affirmation laid by any person who, in the opinion of the \r\nCourt, is acting in the interest of the child that there are reasons to believe that a child is \r\ndestitute and neglected child, the Court may issue warrant for the production of the child \r\nbefore it. \r\n(2) The officer executing the warrant shall be accompanie d by the person \r\nlaying the information, if such person so desires and may also, if the Court by whom \r\nthe warrant is issued so directs, be accompanied by a duly qualified medical \r\npractitioner or the police or both. \r\n(3) If any such child is brought before th e Court and the Court is satisfied \r\nthat the child is a destitute and neglected child, it may deal with his custody in \r\naccordance with the provisions of this Act. \r\n31. False, frivolous or vexatious information. – (1) If in any case in which \r\ninformation has be en laid before a Court by any person under the provisions of \r\nsection 30, the Court after such inquiry as it may deem necessary, is of the opinion \r\nthat such information is false, frivolous or vexatious, the Court may, for reasons to be \r\nrecorded in writing, direct that compensation, not exceeding fifty thousand rupees, as \r\nit may determine, be paid by such informer to the child or to an aggrieved person \r\nagainst whom the information was laid. \r\n(2) Before making any order for the payment of compensation, the Cour t \r\nshall call upon the informer to show cause why he should not pay compensation. \r\n(3) The Court may, by its order directing payment of compensation, further \r\norder that in case of default, the person ordered to pay such compensation shall suffer \r\nsimple imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months. \r\n(4) No person who has been directed to pay compensation under this \r\nsection shall, by reason of such order, be exempted from any civil or criminal liability \r\nin respect of the information given by him, but any amo unt paid, as compensation \r\nshall be taken into account in any subsequent civil suit relating to such matter. \r\n(5) When an order for payment of compensation is made under sub -\r\nsection (1), the compensation shall not be paid to the person ordered to receive it \r\nbefore the expiry of one month in order to allow sufficient time to the informant to \r\nrepresent against any such order. \r\n32. Period of custody.– Subject to any order of the Court or any direction of the \r\nBureau, a child ordered to be admitted to a child prote ction institution shall be kept in \r\nsuch custody till he attains the age of eighteen years. \r\n33. Contribution of parents. – (1) Where an order has been made for the \r\nadmission of a child into child protection institution or giving the custody of the child \r\nto a suitable person, the Court may direct a parent, in a suitable case, to pay \r\nmaintenance of the child at such rates as may be determined by the Court: \r\n Provided that while passing any such order, the Court shall take into \r\nconsideration the capacity of the parent to pay maintenance. \r\n(2) In case of non -compliance of the direction for the payment of \r\nmaintenance issued under sub -section (1), the Court may recover the amount from \r\nthe parent as arrears of land revenue. \r\nPART VIII \r\nSPECIAL OFFENCES RELATING TO CHILDREN \r\n34. Unauthorized custody.– If a person taken a destitute or neglected child in \r\ncustody or keeps him in contravention of the provisions of this Act, he shall be \r\npunished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years but which \r\nshall not be l ess than three months 17[or] with fine which may extend to one hundred \r\nthousand rupees but which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees 18[or with \r\nboth.] \r\n35. \r\n19\r\n[* * * * * * * * * * * * ] \r\n36. Employing for begging.– If a person employs a child for begging or causes a \r\nchild to beg or, having the custody, charge or care of a child, connives at or \r\nencourages employment of the child for begging or uses a child, connives at 20[or] \r\nencourages employment of the child, for begging, he shall be punished with \r\nimprisonment for a term which may extend to five years but which shall not be less \r\nthan three months and with fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees \r\nbut which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees 21[or with both.] \r\n36A. Sale of goods for beggin g.– If a person employs or incites a child to sell \r\ngoods with the intention of begging, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term \r\nwhich may extend to three years but which shall not be less than three months 22[or] \r\nwith fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees but which shall not b e \r\nless than ten thousand rupees 23[or with both.] \r\n36B. Inciting child for rag picking. – If a person employs or incites a child for rag \r\npicking he shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years but \r\n \r\n17Substituted for the word \"an d\" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.3(i) \r\n \r\n18Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendmen t) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.3(ii) \r\n19Omitted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp1589-1591, s.6 \r\n20 Substituted for the word \"and\" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.4(i) \r\n \r\n21Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.4(ii) \r\n \r\n22Substituted for the word \"and\" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 20, pp 2321-2322, s.5(i) \r\n \r\n23Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.5(ii) \r\n \r\nwhich shall not be less than three months 24[or] with fine which may extend to one \r\nhundred thousand rupees but which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees 25[or \r\nwith both] \r\n37. Intoxicating a child.– If a person gives or causes to be given to any child any \r\nintoxicant or narcotic drug, except on the prescription of a doctor, he shall be \r\npunished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years but which \r\nshall not be less than six months 26[or] with fine which may extend to three hundred \r\nthousand rupees but which shall not be le ss than fifty thousand rupees 27[or with \r\nboth] \r\n38. Permitting child to enter places where liquor or narcotic drugs are sold.– \r\nWhoever– \r\n(i) takes a child to any place where an intoxicant is served or consumed; \r\nor \r\n(ii) being the proprietor, owner or a person in charge of such place, \r\npermits a child to enter such place; or \r\n(iii) Causes or procures a child to go to such place; \r\n28\r\n[shall be punished \r\nwith imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years but which \r\nshall not be less than three months 29[or] with fine which may extend to \r\none hundred thousand rupees but which shall not be less than twenty \r\nfive thousand rupees 30[or with both]] \r\n39. Inciting child to bet or borrow. – Whoever, by words, spoken or written, or \r\nby signs, or otherwise, incites or attempts to incite a child to make any bet or wager \r\nor to enter into or take any share or interest in any betting or wagering transaction \r\nshall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or \r\nwith fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees or with both. \r\n40. \r\n31\r\n[* * * * * * * * * * * * ] \r\n \r\n24 Substituted for the word \"and\" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.6(i) \r\n \r\n25Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.6(ii) \r\n \r\n26Substituted for the word \"and\" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.7(i) \r\n \r\n27Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 20, pp 2321-2322, s.7(ii) \r\n \r\n28Amendment by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2017 (XIV of 2017), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.10 \r\n29Substituted for the word \"and\" by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), \r\npublished in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.8(i) \r\n \r\n30Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 2025 (LXXXIII of 2025 ), published in the \r\nPunjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 November 2025, pp 2321-2322, s.8(ii) \r\n \r\n31Omitted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 201 7), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.11 \r\n41. Abetting escape of child.– Whoever– \r\n(a) knowingly assists or induces, directly or indirectly, a child admitted in a \r\nchild protection institution to escape from t he institution or from the \r\ncustody of a suitable person to whom custody of the child has been \r\nentrusted by the Court; or \r\n(b) knowingly harbors, conceals, connives at or prevents from returning to \r\na child protection institution or to any person to whom the custody of \r\nthe child was entrusted by the Court or assists or connives at so doing; \r\nshall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five \r\nyears or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees or with both. \r\n32\r\n[42. Cognizance of offen ce.– An offence under this Act shall b e cognizable and \r\nnon-bailable.] \r\n43. Application of the Code. – All offences under this part shall be investigated, \r\ntried and punished in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the Code. \r\nPART IX \r\nMISCELLANEOUS \r\n44. Discharge of a child from a child protection institution or from the care \r\nof any person to whose care he was entrusted. – (1) The Bureau may at any time \r\norder a child to be discharged from a child protection institution, either absolutely or \r\non such conditions as the Bureau deems appropriate. \r\n(2) The Court may, at any stage, on application or otherwise, discharge a \r\nchild from custody of a child protection institution or suitable person, as the case may \r\nbe, either absolutely or on such conditions as the Court deems appropriate. \r\n45. Transfers between institutions of like nature in different parts of \r\nPakistan.– (1) The Bureau may, in consultation with the manager of a child \r\nprotection institution, transfer the custody of the child to any other such institution in \r\nany part of the Province. \r\n(2) A destitute and neglected child shall normally be kept in an institution \r\nthat is at or nearest to his place of domicile. \r\n(3) The Court having jurisdiction over the local area of the Province where \r\na child is being kept may ex ercise all the powers of the Court under this Act or the \r\nrules. \r\n(4) The Government may direct any child to be transferred from any child \r\nprotection institution in the Province to any institution of like nature in any other \r\nProvince of Pakistan in respect o f which the Government of that Province has made \r\nprovisions similar to this Act under any law for the time being in force: \r\n Provided that no child shall be so transferred without the consent of the \r\nGovernment of that other Province. \r\n \r\n32Substituted by the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Childre n (Amendment) Act 201 7 (XIV of 2017), published in the Punjab \r\nGazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 September 2017, pp 1589-1591, s.12 \r\n46. Officers to be publ ic servants.– The Officers appointed or authorized under \r\nthis Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the \r\nPakistan Penal Code 1860 (XLV of 1860). \r\n47. Protection of action taken under this Act. – No suit, prosecution or other \r\nlegal proceeding shall be instituted or entertained against any person, acting or \r\npurporting to act under this Act or the rules, in good faith and for the welfare of a \r\nchild. \r\n48. Act to over -ride other laws. – Provisions of this Act shall have effect \r\nnotwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force. \r\n49. Power of Government to make rules. – The Government may, by \r\nnotification, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. \r\n50. Power of Bureau to frame regulations.– Subject to the provisions of this Act \r\nand the rules, the Bureau may frame regulations for giving effect to the provisions of \r\nthis Act. \r\n51. Repeal and Saving. – (1) The Punjab Children Ordinance, 1983 (XXII of \r\n1983) is hereby repealed. \r\n(2) The Punjab Youthful Offenders Ordinance, 1983 (XXIII of 1983) is also \r\nhereby repealed. \r\n(3) The Punjab Supervision and Control of Children Homes Act, 1976 (XVI \r\nof 1976) is also hereby repealed. \r\n(4) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Ordinances and the Act anything \r\ndone, action taken, obligation, liability, penalty or punishment incurred, inquiry or \r\nproceeding commenced, officer appointed or person authorized, jurisdiction or power \r\nconferred, rule made and order or notification issued under any of the provisions of \r\nthe said Ordinances or the Act shall, if not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, \r\nbe continued and so far as may be, deemed to have been respectively done, taken, \r\nincurred, commenced, appointed, authorized, conferred, made or issued under this \r\nAct. \r\n(5) All Chi ldren Homes established and functioning under the Punjab 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