PUNJAB FORENSIC SCIENCE AUTHORITY ACT 2025

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THE PUNJAB FORENSIC SCIENCE AUTHORITY ACT 2025 
(XVIII of 2025) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Establishment of Authority 
4. Meetings of the Authority 
5. Powers and functions of the Authority 
6. Constitution of committees and establishment of panel 
7. Appointment of Director General 
8. Powers and functions of Director General 
9. Employees of the Authority 
10. Directions to the Authority 
11. Fund 
12. Budget and accounts 
13. Audit 
14. Experts 
15. Expert opinion 
16. Clarification in case of certain opinion 
17. Re-examination of forensic material 
18. Offence 
19. Appeal 
20. Annual performance report 
21. Act to be read in conjunction with other laws 
22. Power to make rules 
23. Power to frame regulations 
24. Indemnity 
25. Absorption in the Authority 
26. Removal of difficulties 
27. Repeal 
  
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB FORENSIC SCIENCE AUTHORITY ACT 2025 
(XVIII of 2025) 
[24th March, 2025] 
An 
Act 
to establish the Punjab Forensic Science Authority for forensic examination of 
documents, materials, equipment, impressions or other objects. 
It is necessary to provide for establishment of an Authority for forensic examination of 
documents, materials, equipment, impressions or other objects; for scientific opinion on 
different types of evidential material referred to it by the investigating agencies or any 
other authorized authority for forensic and tendering its expert opinion the reon and for 
the matters ancillary thereto and connected therewith. 
Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: 
 Short title, extent and commencement . (1) This Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Forensic Science Authority Act 2025. 
(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions. (1) In the Act: 
(a) “Act” means the Punjab Forensic Science Authority Act 2025; 
(b) “Authority” means the Punjab Forensic Science Authority established under 
section 3 of the Act; 
(c) “concerned officer” means an officer who carries out test or renders 
opinion; 
(d) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898);  
(e) “Director General” means the Director General of the Authority appointed 
under the Act; 
(f) “expert” means a person ha ving knowledge or skills in a particular area of 
forensic science and includes a qualified foreign expert in the field of 
forensic science; 
(g) “forensic material” includes biological sample, trace evidence, such as hair 
and fiber, paint and polymer, glass, fi rearm, tool mark, document, material, 
equipment, impression, latent fingerprints, footprints, handwriting, ballistics, 
currency, burnt remains, alcohol, drugs, narcotics and poison, photography 
at crime scene, pesticide, electronic or cybercrime, nuclear 
deoxyribonucleic acid,   short tandem repeat, video, fingerprinting, voice 
identification, human or animal semen, blood stain pattern, arson and 
explosive or any other object connected with the commission of an offence, 
a civil cause or any other proceedings , polygraph and spectrograph as 
instrument to conduct forensic analysis; 
(h) “Government" means Government of the Punjab; 
(i) “offence” means an act of commission or omission punishable under the 
Act or any law for the time being in force; 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 14 March 2025; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab on 21 
March 2025; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 24 March 2025, pp. 3619-3625. 

(j) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or regulations; 
(k) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act; and 
(l) “rules” means the rules made under the Act. 
(2) A word or an expression used but not defined in the Act shall have the 
same meanings as defined in the Code. 
3. Establishment of Authority . (1) The Government shall, by notification in the 
official Gazette, establish the Authority to be known as the Punjab Forensic Science 
Authority. 
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a 
common seal, with power to enter into contract, acquire or dispose of property, and may 
by its name sue or be sued. 
(3) The Authority shall consist of: 
(a) Chief Minister Chairperson 
(b) a person to be nominated by the Chief 
Minister 
Vice-Chairperson 
(c) Secretary to Government, Home 
Department 
Member 
(d) Secretary to Government, Finance 
Department 
Member 
(e) Secretary to Government, Law and 
Parliamentary Affairs Department 
Member 
(f) Secretary to Government, Planning 
and Development Board 
Member 
(g) Secretary to Government, Public 
Prosecution Department 
Member 
(h) Inspector General of Police or his 
nominee 
Member 
(i) one expert in the field of audio visual 
analysis 
Member 
(j) one expert in the field of computer 
forensic 
Member 
(k) one expert in the field of criminology Member 
(l) one expert  in the field of molecular 
sciences 
Member 
(m) one expert in the field of pathology Member 
(n) Director General of the Authority 
2[(o)  Director General, Punjab Agriculture,     
Food and Drug Authority 
(p) Chairman, Punjab Information 
Technology Board 
Member/Secretary 
Member 
 
Member]  
                                                           
2Added by the Punjab Forensic Science Authority (Amendment) Act 2026 (XXV of 2026); and was published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 06 May 2026, p. 5841, s.2. 
 
(4) The Authority may co -opt an expert in its meeting for its assistance on a 
particular matter for the purposes of the Act but such co -opted expert shall not have any 
right to vote. 
(5) The experts at clauses (i) to (m) of sub -section (1) shall be appointed, for a 
term of five years by the Government who shall serve during the pleasure of the 
Government. 
(6) The experts at clauses (i) to (m) of sub -section (1), after expiry of their 
term, may, subject to fulfilling criteria, be appoi nted for second term but no such expert 
shall be appointed thrice as expert member of the Authority. 
4. Meetings of the Authority . (1) The Secretary of the Authority shall, on the 
direction of Chairperson, call a meeting of the Authority which shall be held at least once 
in a quarter and six Members shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Authority. 
(2) The Chairperson, or, in his  absence, Vice-Chairperson shall preside over 
the meeting. 
(3) The Authority shall take its decision by majority of its Members present and 
voting and in case of a tie, the person presiding over the meeting shall have a casting 
vote.  
(4) In case, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, both are unavailable, the 
Member elected by rest of the Members of the Authority present in the meeting shall 
preside over the meeting of the Authority. 
(5) The Secretary of the Authority shall maintain complete record of minutes of 
meeting and decisions of the Authority in the prescribed manner. 
(6) The proceedings of a meeting of the Authority shall not be invalid merely 
on account of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Authority. 
5. Powers and functions of the Authority . (1 ) Sub ject to the provisions of the 
Act, rules and regulations framed thereunder, the Authority may exercise such powers 
and take such measures as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing sub -section, the 
Authority shall: 
(a) formulate standards, procedures, process and guidelines for collection, 
examination and transmission of forensic material; 
(b) render its expert opinion after examination of forensic material; 
(c) propose advancement in forensic tech niques and suggest use of suitable 
scientific instruments for examination of forensic material;  
(d) seek clarification from the person involved in collection or handling of 
forensic material or  crime scene in the prescribed manner; 
(e) regulate for collection, preservation and handling of forensic material by the 
crime scene investigators; 
(f) notify crime scene investigators for attending crime scene; 
(g) devise a mechanism for crime scene investigators to receive the case 
docket and establish chain of custody of samples;  
(h) authorize its officer to collect forensic material that requires special 
expertise or scientific methods for collection and preservation; 
(i) maintain record for examination of forensic material, including record 
pertaining to identity of a person connecte d with or accused of an offence, 
in the prescribed manner; 
(j) promote general awareness through print, electronic and social media or 
any other source of communication on matters relating to forensic; 
(k) establish one or more agency for special purposes in the prescribed 
manner; 
(l) establish labs, training institutes at each divisional headquarter or at any 
other place; 
(m) procure, operate and maintain scientific instruments, machinery, equipment 
or material as may be required for proper discharge of its functions; 
(n) acquire land for establishment of scientific or forensic labs or training 
institutes; 
(o) fix the amount of analysis fee or charges where applicable; 
(p) exercise its functions as far as possible, in accordance with the well -
established scientific principles and international best practices;  
(q) hire or appoint advisors, consultants or experts in such manner and on 
such terms and conditions as may be prescribed; and 
(r) perform such other functions as may be ancillary, or as may be prescribed 
to carry out the purpose of the Act. 
(3) The Authority may delegate any or all of its powers and functions, except 
approval of annual budget, to Director General or its officer or agency  of the 
Government. 
6. Constitution of committees and establishment of panel . (1) The Authority 
may constitute committees comprising of such number of members as it may provide, for 
the purposes of the Act and the committee shall also record minutes of its meeting. 
(2) The Authority may establish a panel consisting of as many scientific 
experts as it may deem fit and appropriate for the purposes of the Act. 
7. Appointment of Director General . (1) On the recommendation of the Search 
Committee, to be constituted by the Government, Director General shall be appointed by 
the Chief Minister for a period upto five years on such terms and conditions as may be 
determined by the Chief Minister , however, Director General shall hold office during the 
pleasure of the Chief Minister. 
(2) The terms and conditions of service of the Director General determined by 
the Chief Minister shall not be varied during his tenure in office. 
(3) The Director General may tender his resignation to the Chief Minister and 
shall cease to hold office upon acceptance of his resignation. 
(4) When the office of the Director General is vacant, the Chief Minister may 
appoint an officer from Pakistan Administrative Service or Provincial Management 
Service having BS -20, as Director General, till the regular appointment of the Director 
General under this section. 
8. Powers and functions of Director General . (1) The Director  General shall be 
the Chief Executive Officer and principal accounting officer of the Authority and 
competent to enter into contracts on behalf of the Authority.  
(2) The Director General may delegate any of his financial powers to an officer 
of the Authority subject to approval of the Authority. 
(3) The Director General shall exercise such administrative and financial 
powers as are provided in the Act, or as may be prescribed or delegated to him by the 
Authority. 
(4) The Director General, subject to control of the Aut hority, shall be 
responsible for accomplishing the objectives  of the Act and for implementation of the 
provisions of the Act, rules and regulations. 
9. Employees of the Authority . (1) The Authority may, for performance of its 
functions, employ such officers,  officials and other employees, on such terms and 
conditions as it may prescribe. 
(2) The Authority may provide for grant of such allowances, leave, pension, 
gratuity, provident fund and other benefits and facilities to its employees as it may 
prescribe. 
(3) The e mployees of the Authority shall be deemed to be public servants 
within the meanings of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860). 
10. Directions to the Authority . The Government may give general or special 
directions to the Authority which shall comply with such directions. 
11. Fund. (1) There shall be a Fund to be known as the Punjab Forensic Science 
Authority Fund to be administered and controlled by the Authority. 
(2) The Fund shall consist of: 
(a) funds or grants made by the Government or Federal Gove rnment or their 
authorities or agencies; 
(b) fee and charges collected by the Authority for rendering special services in 
the field of forensic science; 
(c) income from lease or sale of property of Authority; and  
(d) income from any other source. 
(3) The Fund shall be invested and maintained in such manner as may be 
prescribed. 
(4) The Fund shall be utilized to meet the expenses of the Authority in 
connection with its functions under the Act. 
(5) The Authority may obtain loan and float bonds to raise its Funds. 
12. Budget and accou nts. (1) The Director General shall, before the 
commencement of a financial year, prepare a statement of estimated receipts and 
expenditure of the Authority for the financial year and submit to the Authority for 
approval. 
(2) The Authority shall maintain prop er 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. 
(3) The Authority may open and maintain its accounts at such scheduled bank 
as may be prescribed. 
(4) After the end of each financial year, the Authority shall, in the prescribed 
manner, prepare for that financial year statements of account of the Authority, which 
shall include a balance-sheet and all kinds of account of income and expenditure. 
13. Audit. (1) The Auditor General of Pakistan shall, annually, audit the accounts of 
the Authority. 
(2) The Government shall, in addition to the audit under sub -section (1), cause 
the accounts of the Authority annually audited, by a chartered accountant or  a firm of 
chartered accountants. 
(3) The auditor appointed under sub-section (2) shall be provided such access 
to the books, accounts and other documents as may be considered necessary for audit 
of accounts. 
(4) The auditor shall submit annual or any special audi t report to the Authority 
which shall, under intimation to the Government, take appropriate remedial action in light 
of audit report. 
 
14. Experts. (1) The Authority may appoint such experts as it may deem necessary 
in such manner and having such qualifications as may be prescribed. 
(2) The opinion of the expert appointed under the Act shall be admissible 
under section 510 of the Code and relevant under Article 59 of the Qanun -e-Shahadat, 
1984 (10 of 1984). 
(3) The Authority shall not entrust examination o f a forensic material to a 
person who has been convicted of an offence related to giving false evidence under any 
law for the time being in force. 
15. Expert opinion . (1) A court or tribunal may send to the Authority, a forensic 
material related to investigat ion or proceedings before it, for examination and expert 
opinion. 
(2) The Authority or on its behalf Director General shall authenticate and send 
expert opinion to a court or tribunal in the prescribed manner. 
(3) An expert opinion shall carry the name, designatio n and unique 
identification code of the expert who conducted the examination. 
16. Clarification in case of certain opinion. (1) If an expert opinion is not clear, the 
court or tribunal may refer it to the Authority for clarification on a specific question. 
(2) The Authority shall, on receipt of reference, send clarification on the 
question to the court or tribunal. 
(3) If the condition of the forensic material or any other fact does not allow 
submission of a clear answer to the question, the concerned officer shall state its inability 
to answer the question. 
17. Re-examination of forensic material. (1) A person affected by the opinion of an 
expert, may, for a sufficient cause, submit an application, for re -examination, before the 
court or tribunal before which opinion is rendered or submitted by the Authority. 
(2) If the court or tribunal is satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for re -
consideration of the opinion, it may, for reasons to be recorded  in writing, direct the 
Authority to re-examine the forensic material. 
(3) The Director General shall, upon receipt of direction under sub -section (2), 
constitute a panel of three or more experts to re -examine forensic material or refer the 
same to a forensic examination facility for examination and opinion. 
(4) The Director General shall submit the findings of the panel of experts or 
forensic examination facility, as the case may be, to the court or tribunal. 
18. Offence. (1) If an expert or official of the Authority knowingly or negligently 
renders false, incorrect or misleading opinio n or evidence before a court or tribunal, he 
shall be punished with imprisonment which shall  not be less than five years and fine not 
less than five hundred thousand rupees. 
(2) An offence under the Act shall be non -bailable and triable by a Court of 
Sessions in the manner as provided in the Code. 
(3) The court shall not take cognizance of an offence under the Act unless 
Director General, makes a complaint, in writing, to it in the manner and form as may be 
prescribed. 
19. Appeal. An expert or official aggrieved by an  order or sentence passed under 
section 18, may, within thirty days of its passing, prefer an appeal to the Lahore High 
Court. 
20. Annual performance report . (1) The Authority shall submit its annual 
performance report to the Government, before July, 31st in a year. 
(2) The Government shall, within sixty days of receipt of report under sub -
section (1), arrange for its laying before the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. 
21. Act to be read in conjunction with other laws . The provisions of the Act shall 
be read in conj unction with and not in derogation of any other law for the time being in 
force. 
22. Power to make rules . The Government may, by notification in official Gazette, 
make rules for giving effect to the provisions of the Act. 
23. Power to frame regulations . Subject to the Act, the Authority may, by 
notification in official Gazette, frame regulations for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
24. Indemnity. No suit or legal proceeding shall lie against the Authority or its 
Member, officer or employee in respect of anythin g done in good faith or purporting to 
have been done or intended to be done under the Act, rules and regulations. 
25. Absorption in the Authority . (1) The Government may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, absorb in the Authority, a body, agency, bureau , laboratory or any other 
facility of the Government concerned with examination and rendering expert opinion 
about forensic material, in such mode and manner as may be prescribed. 
(2) An employee of the body, agency, bureau, laboratory or other facility of the  
Government absorbed in the Authority under sub -section (1), may be given one time 
option to be absorbed in the Authority: 
Provided that the option, once exercised under sub -section (2), shall be final and 
irrevocable in any manner and those who do not opt to be absorbed, shall be repatriated 
forthwith. 
(3) The employees who opt to be absorbed in the service of the Authority shall 
be absorbed and appointed in the service of the Authority subject to fulfilling such criteria 
and in such manner as may be prescribed. 
26. Removal of difficulties. If any difficulty arises as to give effect to the provisions 
of the Act, the Government may, subject to the provisions of the Act, pass such orders 
as may be necessary to remove such difficulties. 
27. Repeal. (1) The Punj ab Forensic Science Agency Act, 2007 (XII of 2007) is 
hereby repealed.  
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal under sub -section (1), the Punjab Forensic 
Science Agency shall continue to perform its functions mandated under the repealed Act 
and its employees shall con tinue to serve under the agency unless  and until the agency 
is absorbed in the Authority under the Act. 
(3) In case the Punjab Forensic Science Agency is absorbed in the Authority 
under section 25, all its employees, regular or on contract basis, on such absor ption, 
shall stand transferred to the service of the Authority:  
Provided that the Authority shall, within three hundred and sixty -five days from 
absorption of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency, give such transferred employees an 
opportunity to opt for repatriation to their parent departments as one-time option. 
(4) The terms and conditions of the employees, transferred under sub -section 
(3), shall not be less favourable than those available to them before their transfer to the 
Authority.