AQUACULTURE AUTHORITY OF THE PUNJAB ACT 2026

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THE AQUACULTURE AUTHORITY OF THE PUNJAB ACT 
2026 
(XVIII of 2026) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Establishment of the Authority 
4. Aquaculture area 
5. Composition of the Authority 
6. Powers and functions of the Authority 
7. Chief Executive Officer 
8. Registration, licensing and certification 
9. Services by the Authority 
10. Employees of the Authority 
11. Appointment by transfer and posting 
12. Liability for loss 
13. Committees 
14. Directions to the Authority 
15. Transfer of rights and liabilities 
16. Authentication of instruments of the Authority 
17. Fund 
18. Accounts 
19. Budget and accounts 
20. Audit 
21. Joint venture, outsourcing and procurements 
22. Leasing of aquaculture property 
23. Purchase of property 
24. Power to give directions 
25. Powers to remove sources of pollution 
26. Enforcement 
27. Enforcement procedure of the Authority 
28. Power of seizure 
29. Power of sealing 
30. Recovery of fines 
31. Appeals 
32. Failure to comply with the directions 
33. Powers to eject unauthorized occupants 
34. Damage to aquaculture property or infrastructure 
35. Obstructing the authorized officer 
36. Business without registration, license or certification 
37. Punishment for residuary offences 
38. Punishment for subsequent offence 
39. Cognizance of an offence 
40. Trial of offences 
41. Compounding of offence 
42. Public servants 
43. Indemnity 
44. Annual report 
45. Monitoring and Evaluation 
46. Power to make rules 
47. Power to frame regulations 
48. Act to prevail over other laws 
49. Removal of difficulties 
 
 
 
TEXT 
1
THE AQUACULTURE AUTHORITY OF THE PUNJAB ACT 2026 
(XVIII of 2026) 
[25 February 2026] 
An 
Act 
to provide for establishment of Aquaculture Authority of the Punjab. 
It is necessary to establish Aquaculture Authority of the Punjab for development of 
aquaculture sector, facilitation of private stakeholders and regulation of aquaculture 
industry and market to improve food security, cr eate employment opportunities and 
generate revenue in the Punjab and the matters connected therewith and ancillary 
thereto.  
It is hereby enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows:  
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may b e cited as the 
Aquaculture Authority of the Punjab Act 2026. 
(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab.  
(3) It shall come into force at once.  
2. Definitions.– In the Act:  
(a) “Act” means the Aquaculture Authority of the Punjab Act 2026;  
(b) “Administrative Secretary” means Secretary to the Government, 
Aquaculture and Fisheries Department; 
(c) “Authority” means the Aquaculture Authority of the Punjab established 
under the Act; 
(d) “aquaculture” means culture of any species of fish, shell fish, shrimp, plant 
and animal in water; 
(e) “aquaculture area” means the aquaculture area notified under section 4 of 
the Act; 
(f) “aquaculture industry” means a business relating to aquaculture including 
their hatcheries, feed and feeding, harvesting, preservation, distribut ion 
and marketing, related drugs and medicine, and factories processing, 
manufacturing for fishing, shrimp nets and gears and establishment and 
operation of refrigeration units, refrigerated logistics, related markets, 
export and import of fish, shrimp and  aquaculture related implements, 
chemicals and technologies and all other related services; 
(g) “biosecurity in aquaculture” means the technical methods to prevent and 
limit the spread of biological agents that occur, either naturally or 
artificially, in aquac ulture activities that can cause harm to humans, 
animals and ecosystems; 
(h) “certification” means the certification under the Act; 
(i) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Authority;  
                                                           
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on  04 February 2026; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab 
on 25 February 2026; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 25 February 2026, pp. 4553-4564. 
(j) “Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the 
Authority; 
(k) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898); 
(l) “District Collector” means the Collector of a District under the Punjab Land 
Revenue Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967);  
(m) “employee” means an employee of the Authority appointed by the 
Authority under the Act; 
(n) “fee” means the fee leviable under the Act; 
(o) “feed” means any type of feed used for aquaculture and includes floating 
feed, extruded feed, sinking feed, grower feed and stage-wise feed; 
(p) “Fund” means the Fund established under the Act;  
(q) “Government” means Government of the Punjab;  
(r) “Government Agency” includes:  
(i) a department, bureau, commission, authority, office or unit of the 
Government;  
(ii) a local government; and  
(iii) a company or corporation owned or controlled by the Government  
or a local government. 
(s) “hatchery” means and includes a facility where aquatic animal eggs are 
hatched and larvae are reared to the post-larvae stage;  
(t) “land” includes earth, water and air, above, below or on the surface and 
any improvements in the structure customarily regarded as land and 
benefits arising out of land and things attached to earth or permanently 
fastened to earth; 
(u) “local government” means a local government as defined in the Punjab 
Local Government Act 2025  (LXXX of 2025) or any othe r law for the time 
being in force; 
(v) “Member” means a Member of the Authority; 
(w) “person” means a natural or juridical person; 
(x) “pond farming” means and refers to pond farming which involves raising 
aquatic animal or plant species in controlled artificial ponds under the Act;  
(y) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or regulations; 
(z) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act;  
(aa) “rules” means the rules made under the Act; and 
(bb) “standards” means the standards formulated by the Authority under 
the Act. 
3. Establishment of the Authority .– (1) The Government may, by notification in 
the official Gazette, establish an Authority to be known as Aquaculture Authority of the 
Punjab for the purposes of the Act. 
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate, having  perpetual succession and 
a common seal, with power to enter into a contract, acquire property with prior approval 
of the Government, dispose of immovable property and may, by its name, sue or be 
sued. 
(3) The headquarters of the Authority shall be at such pla ce and city as may 
be notified by the Government. 
4. Aquaculture area.- The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, 
declare any land with its allied infrastructure encompassing whole value chain due to its 
saline and brackish water or othe r criteria as may be prescribed by the rules, as the 
aquaculture area for the purposes of the Act. 
5. Composition of the Authority.– (1) The Authority shall consist of the following:  
(a)  Minister for Aquaculture and Fisheries.  Chairperson 
(b)  Administrative Secretary. Member 
(c)  Secretary to the Government, Finance Department 
or his nominee not below the rank of  an Additional 
Secretary. 
Member 
(d)  Secretary to the Government, Law and 
Parliamentary Affairs Department or his nominee 
not below the rank of an Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(e)  Secretary to the Government, Industries, 
Commerce and Investment Department or his 
nominee not below the rank of an Additional 
Secretary. 
Member 
(f)  Member (Colonies) of the Board of Revenue. Member 
(g)  nominee of the Chairman, Planning and 
Development Board not below the rank of a Member. 
Member 
(h)  Director General Fisheries, Punjab. Member 
(i)  three Members of Provincial Assembly of the 
Punjab, including at least one female Member to 
be nominated by the Chief Minister. 
Members 
(j)  five private members from relevant field. Members 
(k)  Chief Executive Officer. Secretary/ 
Member 
(2) The Members at clauses (i) and (j) shall be appointed for a term of three 
years, and they shall serve during the pleasure of the Chief Minister.  
(3) The Chairperson and in his absence, his nominated Member shall preside 
over a meeting of the Authority.  
(4) The Authority shall meet at least once in every quarter of a calendar year 
on such date and at such time as the Chairperson may determine. 
(5) Seven Members shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the 
Authority, and decisions shall be made by the majority of its Members present and 
voting, and in case of a tie, the person presiding over the meeting shall have a casting 
vote.  
(6) The Secretary of the Authority shall maintain complete record of the 
minutes and dec isions of the Authority in such manner as may be prescribed by the 
regulations.  
(7) No act or proceedings of the Authority shall be invalid merely by reason of 
any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Authority.  
 
6. Powers and functions of the Au thority.– (1) The Authority may perform such 
functions and exercise such powers as are necessary for carrying out the purpose s of 
the Act. 
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the Authority may: 
(a) formulate standards, procedures, processes , and issue guidelines in 
relation to aquaculture farming, its processing, breeding, feeding, health 
management and preservation or any other related field; 
(b) plan, promote, organize, re -organize and implement programs to develop 
and secure the aquaculture; 
(c) prescribe procedures and guidelines for setting up and accreditation of 
aquaculture laboratories; 
(d) provide scientific advice and technical support to public and private 
sectors for the purposes of the Act; 
(e) establish a network of farmers, importers and expor ters of aquaculture to 
facilitate quality control, international marketing, transportation and export; 
(f) encourage farmers, organize training programs and promote general 
awareness;  
(g) levy fee for registration, licensing, certification and other related services; 
(h) develop and promote aquaculture hatcheries, model farms, aquaculture 
feeds, feed mills, model processing plants, aquaculture malls, research 
and training centers, laboratories with or without private investment; 
(i) certify aquaculture products for export  as per notified standards to meet 
international quality standards; 
(j) conduct studies, research, undertake surveys, prepare feasibility reports, 
develop and promote aquaculture markets, assess potential gaps and 
prepare business plans for aquaculture; 
(k) engage a person for performances of  any of  its functions for effective 
development of aquaculture industry and related infrastructure;  
(l) prepare annual budget and implement annual development programs in 
aquaculture for the aquaculture area; 
(m) acquire property or, with the approval of the Government, dispose of its 
immovable property; 
(n) raise funds through borrowing, investments, leasing of assets or any other 
means and its utilization in the prescribed manner; 
(o) enter into and perform such contracts with local and inte rnational 
organizations, agencies or companies, including joint ventures, as may be 
necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act; 
(p) award contracts for projects or schemes to be undertaken, through the 
Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority Act, 2009  (VIII of 2009 ), public 
financing or through the Punjab Public Private Partnership Act 2025  (XVII 
of 2025); 
(q) levy, collect or cause to be collected fees on the use of the aquaculture 
facilities and such infrastructure, or such other facilities within the 
aquaculture area and grant concessions in respect thereof; 
(r) establish committees, offices, units, sectors and wings and delegate such 
powers to such committees, offices, units, sectors and wings, as are 
necessary for the efficient and effective performance of its functions under 
the Act; 
(s) perform such other functions as the Government may assign to achieve 
the objectives of the Act; 
(t) engage the private sector to invest in aquaculture businesses, 
facilitate and promote value chain components of aquaculture 
industry;  
(u) establish, lease and outsource the aquaculture farms, subject to sub -
section (2) of section 3, and allied facilities to private sector on such 
terms and conditions as determined by the Authority; 
(v) establish units for seed production, grow -out, preservation, 
processing, distribution and marketing of aquaculture with or without 
private investment; and 
(w) perform such other functions as may be necessary for the purposes of the 
Act. 
7. Chief Executive Officer .– (1) The Chief Minister may  appoint the Ch ief 
Executive Officer on such terms and conditions as the Chief Minister may determine or 
an officer not below the rank of BS -19 may be transferred and posted from Services 
and General Administration Department to the said post. 
(2) The person appointed by the Chief Minister under sub-section (1) shall be 
a whole-time employee of the Authority  and governed by the terms and conditions as 
may be determined by the Chief Minister ; however, he shall  serve during the pleasure 
of the Chief Minister.  
(3) The Chief Executive Officer shall exercise such powers as are assigned 
to him under the Act, delegated by the Authority or as may be prescribed by the 
regulations. 
(4) The Chief Executive Officer shall: 
(a) be the Principal Accounting Officer of the Authority; 
(b) be competent to enter into contracts on behalf of the Authority with 
approval of the Authority; 
(c) conduct all meetings and make decisions related to operations, 
management and administration of the Authority; 
(d) subject to the control of the Authority, be responsible for 
accomplishing the objectives of the Act; and 
(e) grant, suspend or cancel the license, registration or certification under the 
Act:  
provided that in case of cancellation of license, registration or 
certification, an opportunity of being  heard shall be provided in person or 
through video link to the concerned person.   
(5) Any person aggrieved of suspension or cancellation of license, 
registration or certification under clause (e) of sub-section (4) may, within seven days of 
the order file an appeal before the Appellate Committee to be notified by the Authority. 
8. Registration, licensing and certification .– (1) No person shall undertake or 
carry on any aquaculture business or activity without registration, license or certificati on 
under the Act: 
 Provided that a person already carrying on aquaculture business shall, within six 
months of the commencement of the Act, apply for registration, license or certification. 
(2) Registration shall be required for an aquaculture farm, hatche ry, feed mill, 
processing plant, aquaculture mall, laboratory, or such other facility as may be 
prescribed, and shall be made once, in such manner and on payment of such fee, and 
subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the regulations. 
(3) An aquaculture farm, hatchery, feed mill, processing plant, aquaculture 
mall, laboratory registered under sub -section (2) shall be required to get license for 
running of its business in such manner and on payment of such fee, for such period, 
and subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the regulations. 
(4) Certification shall be required for aquaculture products intended for export 
or for such other purposes as may be prescribed by the regulations, and accreditation 
shall be requir ed for aquaculture laboratories, and both shall be issued or granted, as 
the case may be, in such manner and on payment of such fee, for such period, and 
subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the regulations. 
9. Services by the Authority.– The Authority may provide advisory, technical or 
such other services for any aquaculture business or activity on payment of such fee and 
subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 
10. Employees of the Authority .– (1) The Authority may appoint such employees, 
experts or consultants and other staff in such manner and on such terms and conditions 
as may be prescribed. 
(2) Subject to the terms and conditions of appointment, the Authority may, at 
any time, terminate the services of an employee, expert or consultant and other staff by 
serving thirty days' prior notice or on payment of thirty days salary in lieu of the notice. 
11. Appointment by transfer  and posting.– (1) The Chief Minister may, on the 
request of the Authority, transfer and  post the services of a civil servant to the 
Authority, on terms and conditions which shall not be less  favourable than those 
admissible to him immediately before his transfer and posting. 
(2) The employee transferred and posted under sub -section (1) shall 
continue to be an employee of the Government, and shall be liable to be transferred 
and posted back to the Government.  
12. Liability for loss .– Any person employed by or serving under the Aut hority 
charged with the administration of the affairs of the Authority or acting on behalf of the 
Authority or acting under a contract with the Authority, who is responsible for any loss, 
waste, misappropriation or misapplication of any money or property b elonging to the 
Authority which is a direct consequence of his negligence or misconduct in the 
discharge of his duties, shall be liable to pay the loss suffered by the Authority, and the 
same loss being determined by the Authority, after giving the person concerned a 
reasonable opportunity of being heard. 
13. Committees.– The Authority may constitute one or more committees consisting 
of its Members, employees and such other persons as it may deem fit and assign 
functions to such committees. 
14. Directions t o the Authority .– The Government may give general or special 
directions to the Authority and the Authority shall comply with such directions.  
(2) The Authority shall immediately act to rectify any neglect in the 
performance of its functions when informed by the Government. 
15. Transfer of rights and liabilities .– The Government and local governments or 
any other authority or agency may, for the purposes of the Act, transfer any assets, 
rights and liabilities in relation to the aquaculture infrastructure to  the Authority on such 
terms and conditions as may be agreed between them. 
16. Authentication of instruments of the Authority.– All orders, decisions and 
other instruments of the Authority shall be authenticated by the signature of the Chief 
Executive Officer or any other employee as authorized by the Authority. 
17. Fund.– (1) There shall be a Fund to be known as the Aquaculture Authority of 
the Punjab Fund to be administered and controlled by the Authority in such manner as 
may be prescribed by the rules.  
(2) The Fund shall consist of:  
(a) funds provided by the Government or the Federal Government; 
(b) loans or grants by the Government or the Federal Government; 
(c) funds obtained by the Authority under the Act; 
(d) grants and loans negotiated and raised, or otherwise obtained by the 
Authority under the Act; 
(e) income from fee, charges, rentals and fines collected by the Authority and 
from the lease or sale of the property; and 
(f) any other sums received by the Authority. 
(3) The Authority shall meet all its expenses from the Fund. 
18. Accounts.– The Authority may open and maintain its accounts at such 
scheduled banks as it may thin k fit with the concurrence of Finance Department of the 
Government. 
19. Budget and accounts .– (1) The Authority shall maintai n proper accounts and 
other records relating to its financial affairs including its income and expenditure, and its 
assets and liabilities in such form and manner as may be prescribed. 
(2) After the conclusion of a financial year, the Authority shall, in t he manner 
prescribed, cause to be prepared for the financial year statements of account s of the 
Authority, which shall include a balance sheet and an account of income and 
expenditures. 
(3) The Authority shall approve its annual budget for a financial year  in the 
prescribed manner. 
(4) No expenditure for which provision has not been made in the approved 
budget shall be incurred without prior approval of the Authority. 
(5) The Authority may delegate subject to such conditions and restrictions as 
may be specified in the order, any of its functions to Chief Executive Officer, committee 
or an employee except the function to: 
(a) frame and amend regulations; 
(b) constitute a committee; 
(c) formulate standards, procedures , processes and guideline s in relation to 
any aspect of aquaculture sector; and 
(d) approve the annual report, annual budget and audit accounts. 
20. Audit.– (1) The Auditor General of  Pakistan shall annually audit the accounts of 
the Authority. 
(2) The Government, in addition to the audit under sub -section (1), shall 
cause the accounts of the Authority to be 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 books, accounts and other documents as may be considered necessary for 
the audit of accounts. 
(4) The auditor shall submit the annual or any special audit report to the 
Authority, and the Authority under intimation to the Government shall take appropriate 
remedial or other action in light of the audit report. 
21. Joint venture, outsourcing and procurements .– (1) The Authority may enter 
into any joint venture agreement as a partner with any person or any national or 
international  organization to manage, develop, maintain, build and , subject to sub -
section ( 2) of section 3, transfer any aquaculture farm, facilities including breeding, 
harvesting, marketing, processing, also including land, plot, estate or property vested in 
the Authority. 
(2) The Authority may outsource any of its act ivities including development 
works through the Punjab Public Private Partnership Act 2025 (XVII of 2025) or Punjab 
Procurement Regulatory Authority Act, 2009 (VIII of 2009). 
22. Leasing of aquaculture property .– The Authority may lease out any 
aquaculture farm, hatchery, feed mill, processing plant and aquaculture mall, or any 
other facility or aquaculture resource, in such manner and subject to such terms and 
conditions, as may be prescribed. 
23. Purchase of property .– The Authority may purchase any land,  building, 
aquaculture farm or any other property by entering into an agreement with any person 
legally competent to sell such property or enter into joint venture agreement for the 
development of such property or any other site, project, building and sche me, not 
contrary to the applicable laws. 
24. Power to give directions .– (1) The Authority may require a Government 
Department or entity, within whose jurisdiction any particular locality or aspect of 
development covered by a project lies: 
(a) to execute a project in consultation with the Authority; 
(b) to take over and maintain any of the works and services in that area; 
(c) to provide any amenity in relation to the land which in the opinion of the 
Authority ought to be provided; and 
(d) to enforce regulations on behalf of the Authority. 
(2) The expenditures incurred on the execution of any project or on the taking 
over or maintenance of any work, or the enforcement of regulations, under this section, 
shall be borne as may be agreed to between the Authority and the Government 
Department or entity and in the event of disagreement, as may be determined by the 
Government. 
25. Powers to remove sources of pollution .– The Authority shall have powers to 
undertake improvements of the environment of the aquaculture ar ea or any part 
thereof, and to check, replace, eliminate, remove, demolish, conserve, resettle or 
relocate the sources of environmental pollution within such area. 
26. Enforcement.– (1) The Authority shall devise and implement enforcement plans 
regarding the observance of the rules, regulations in relation to standards, procedures, 
processes and guidelines related to aquaculture and may pass appropriate orders in 
this regard. 
(2) The Authority may appoint officers for the implementation of the 
enforcement plans, in such manner as may be prescribed. 
(3) The officers appointed under sub -section (2) shall exercise such powers, 
in such manners and to such extent, as may be prescribed. 
27. Enforcement procedure of the Authority .– On the information received from 
any source, the officer appointed under section 26 by the Authority, subject to serving a 
show cause notice and recording reasons in writing, may:  
(a) impose fine on the aquaculture business operator which may extend to  
one million rupees but not less than fifty thousand rupees; 
(b) recommend suspension or cancellation of license granted under the Act; 
and 
(c)  get registered first information report in the local Police Station. 
28. Power of seizure .– (1) An officer, oth er than the Chief Executive Officer, 
authorized by the Authority may seize any vehicle, apparatus or other thing which 
appears to the officer to be used in contravention of the Act. 
(2) The officer shall prepare a statement describing the vehicle, apparatus or 
other thing seized and shall deliver a copy of the statement to the person from whom it 
is seized.  
(3) A person aggrieved by the seizure under sub -section (1), within seven 
days of such seizure, may file an appeal before the Chief Executive Officer. 
(4) If the Chief Executive Officer confirms the seizure of the vehicle, 
apparatus or other thing, it shall stand forfeited to the Authority. 
29. Power of sealing .– (1) An officer, below the level of Chief Executive Officer, 
authorized by the Authority may, wherever it is necessary for the purposes of the Act, 
and at all reasonable times, enter upon any land or premises and make inspection, 
valuation or enquiry and if he finds sufficient r easons to believe that any business or 
activity is being carried out in violation of the Act, he may seal the premises or property.  
(2) The authorized officer shall not enter any boundary wall or any enclosed 
courtyard or garden attached to a dwelling hou se, except with the consent of the 
occupant and for obtaining such consent, at least twenty -four hours’ notice in writing of 
his intention to do so, has been given to the occupants. 
(3) Any person aggrieved by the order of sealing may, within seven days of  
such sealing, file an appeal before the Chief Executive Officer. 
30. Recovery of fines .– (1) The Authority shall recover the fine, fee or any other 
amount, imposed or levied under the Act, as an arrears of land revenue and for the 
purpose, authorize an officer to exercise the powers of District Collector.  
(2)  The fine imposed or the fee charged under the Act, the rules or the 
regulations shall be deposited with the Authority and shall form part of the Fund. 
31. Appeals.– (1) Any person aggrieved by an or der passed by the authorized 
officer under the Act, may prefer an appeal to the Chief Executive Officer of the 
Authority within seven days from the date of such order,  who shall decide the appeal 
after affording an opportunity of personal hearing or throug h video link to the parties, as 
follows: 
(a) accept the appeal and set aside the order passed by the authorized 
officer; or  
(b) modify the order passed by the authorized officer; or  
(c) uphold the order passed by the authorized officer.  
(2) Any person aggrieved from the order passed under sub section (1) may 
file second appeal before the appellate committee to be notified by the Authority, within 
seven days from the date of such order, after affording an opportunity for personal 
hearing to the parties in person or through video link and that appellate committee may:  
(a) accept the appeal and set aside the order passed under sub -section (1); 
or 
(b) modify the order passed under sub-section (1); or  
(c) uphold the order passed under sub-section (1). 
(3) In case, aggrieved person chooses to appear for personal hearing 
through video link, the video link shall be organized by the concerned authorized officer 
in his office, where the aggrieved person shall appear to join the video link. 
32. Failure to comply with the directions .– If any person, without reasonable 
cause, fails to comply with any order issued by the Authority or its authorized officer, 
shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year but not less 
than three months or with fine which may exte nd to one million rupees but not less to 
five hundred thousand rupees or both. 
33. Powers to eject unauthorized occupants .– (1) The Authority may summarily 
eject or dispossess any unauthorized occupant of any part of the infrastructure or a 
proposed projec t site thereof and remove any structure thereon, and may use such 
legal force, including Police or Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority , as may 
be necessary for the purpose of ejectment or dispossession and to recover the cost 
thereof from such unauthorized occupant under the applicable laws. 
(2) Any person resisting against the action under sub -section (1) shall be 
punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years but not less than three 
years and with fine up to ten million rupees but not less than one million rupees.  
34. Damage to aquaculture property or infrastructure .– (1) Any person who 
willfully causes damage, or allows damage to be caused to any property which vests in, 
or managed by the Authority, or which is to be acquired by the Authority, or unlawfully 
converts it to his own or any other person's use, shall be punished with imprisonment 
for a term which may extend to seven years but not less than three years and with fine 
which may extend to ten million rupees but not less than one million rupees. 
(2) Any person who discharges any dangerous chemical, inflammable, 
hazardous or offensive substance in any drain, or sewer, water course or public land 
vested in, managed, or controlled by the Authority in such manner as causes or is  likely 
to cause danger to the aquaculture or related infrastructure, or obstructs or tampers 
with any way, street, drain or sewer pipe or pavement or tampers with any pipe, 
apparatus or appliance for the supply of water or sewerage system or lays out a dr ain 
or alters any drain earmarked for aquaculture infrastructure, shall be liable to 
imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years but not less than three years 
and with fine which may extend to ten million rupees but not less than one million 
rupees. 
(3) The damage or loss incurred by the Authority due to offences committed 
by the offender under sub -sections (1) and (2) shall be recovered from the offender at 
the rate determined by the authorized officer of Authority and in case, the offender 
refuses to pay such damage or loss, he shall be subject to imprisonment for a minimum 
period of one year in addition to any other punishment imposed upon him under the 
Act. 
35. Obstructing the authorized officer .– (1) Any person, who obstructs an 
authorized officer in the performance of his duties, shall be liable to imprisonment, for a 
term which may extend to one year but not less than six months and with fine which 
may extend to one million rupees but not less than five hundred thousand rupees. 
(2) Any person, who unlawfully removes, alters or interferes, in any manner 
with any equipment or vehicle seized or any premises or property sealed under the Act, 
shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may exte nd to one year but not less 
than six months and with fine which may extend to one million rupees but not less than 
five hundred thousand rupees. 
36. Business without registration, license or certification .– If any person carries 
out aquaculture business or  activity without registration, license or certification under 
the Act and in violation of the provisions of the Act, shall be liable to imprisonment for a 
term which may extend to three years but not less than one year and with fine which 
may extend to three million rupees but not less than one million rupees. 
37. Punishment for residuary offences .– Any provision of the Act for the 
contravention of which no specific penalty is provided shall be punishable with 
imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years but not less than one year and 
with fine which may extend to one million rupees but not less than five hundred 
thousand rupees. 
38. Punishment for subsequent offence .– If any person, after having been 
previously convicted of an offence under the Act, subsequently commits the same 
offence under the Act, he shall be punished with double of the maximum imprisonment 
and double of the maximum fine provided for such offence under the Act. 
39. Cognizance of an offence.– (1) Subject to sub-section (2), an offence under the 
Act shall be cognizable and bailable.   
(2) An offence punishable under sections 33, 34 and 38 of the Act shall be 
non-bailable. 
40. Trial of offences .– (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the  Code, but 
subject to sub-section (3), the court may summarily try an offence punishable under the 
Act. 
(2) If the court is of the opinion that the nature of the offence does not justi fy 
summary trial, it may conduct proceedings in accordance with provisions of Chapter XX 
of the Code. 
(3) An offence punishable under the Act shall be tried by a Magistrate 
appointed under section 30 of the Code. 
41. Compounding of offence.– The Authority may by an order empower any of its 
employee to compound an offence under the Act except offence under section 38 of the 
Act, at any stage on such terms and conditions and value of compensation, as may be 
prescribed. 
42. Public servants .– The Chairperson, M embers, employees, experts and 
consultants of the Authority shall, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any 
of the provisions of the  Act, be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of 
section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860). 
43. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution or any other legal proceedings shall lie against 
the Authority, Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, any Member, employee, expert or 
consultant of the Authority in respect of anything done or intended to be done  in good 
faith, under the Act. 
44. Annual report.– (1) The Authority shall, within three months of the close of a 
financial year, submit to the Government an annual performance report. 
(2) The annual performance report shall consist of: 
(a) the statement of accounts and audit reports of the Authority; 
(b) a comprehensive statement of the work and activities of the Authority 
during the preceding financial year and its proposed projects and 
schemes; and 
(c) such other matters as may be prescribed or as the Authority may consider 
appropriate. 
(3) The Government shall, within three months of the receipt of the annual 
report from the Authority, cause it to be laid in Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. 
45. Monitoring and Evaluation.– (1) The Government shall, at least once in a year, 
conduct or cause to be conducted, the performance audit of the Authority to assess and 
evaluate the performance of the Authority in accomplishing the objectives of the Act. 
(2) The Government may, on the basis of the performance audi t, issue such 
directions to the Authority, as may be necessary, for accomplishing the objectives of the 
Act and the Authority shall implement such directions. 
46. Power to make rules. – The Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
47. Power to frame regulations. – (1) Subject to the Act, the Authority may, by 
notification, frame regulations to give effect to the provisions of the Act. 
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub -section (1), the regulations may 
provide for: 
(a) procedure for transaction of business of the Authority; 
(b) terms and conditions of service of the employees of the Authority; 
(c) standards and guidelines in relation to any aquaculture business or 
activity; 
(d) limits of additives, contaminants, toxic substance, heavy metals 
pesticides, veterinary drugs, residues and related matters in the 
aquaculture; 
(e) marking, packaging, labelling, advertising and warranty of aquaculture 
products; 
(f) registration, licensing and certification procedures; 
(g) inspection of aquaculture business, safe and hygienic storage and 
transportation; 
(h) recognition and accreditation of laboratories and scale of fee for a 
laboratory test; 
(i) search of premises, vehicle or person for taking and handling samples of 
any aquaculture product;  
(j) finances, accounts, budget and reporting procedures; 
(k) procedure for appointment of the employees of the Authority; and 
(l) delegation of financial powers.  
48. Act to p revail over other laws .– In the event of any conflict or inconsistency 
between the provisions of the Act and the provisions of any other law, the provisions of 
the Act shall prevail to the extent of such inconsistency or conflict. 
49. Removal of difficulties.– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision 
of the Act, the Government, at any time, may make such orders or give such directions 
as are necessary to achieve the purposes of the Act. 
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