THE PUNJAB DISTRICTS (RECONSTITUTION) 
ORDINANCE, 1960 
(XXXII of 1960) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title and extent. 
2. Definition. 
3. Alteration of limits of districts and constitution of new districts. 
4. Application of laws. 
5. Adaptations. 
 
TEXT 
1
THE 
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[PUNJAB] DISTRICTS (RECONSTITUTION) ORDINANCE, 1960 
(XXXII of 1960) 
[13 December 1960] 
An 
Ordinance 
to provide for alteration of limits of districts and constitution of new districts in 
3
[the 
Punjab]. 
Preamble.– WHEREAS, it is expedient in the public interest to provide for alteration 
of limits of districts and constitution of new districts in 
4
[the Punjab];  
 NOW, THEREFORE , in pursuance of the Presidential proclamation of the 
seventh day of October, 1958, and having received the previous instructions of the 
President, the Governor of West Pakistan is pleased, in exercise of all powers 
enabling him in that behalf, to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:– 
1. Short title and extent .– (1) This Ordinance may be called the 
5
[Punjab] 
Districts (Reconstitution) Ordinance, 1960. 
 6
[(2) It extends to the whole of the Province of 
7
[the Punjab] , except the 
Tribal Areas.] 
2. Definition.– In this Ordinance, “Government” means the 
8
[Provincial 
Government of the Punjab]. 
3. Alteration of limits of districts and constitution of new districts .– 
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being  in force, 
Government may, by notification on and from a date to be appointed therein 
(hereinafter referred to as the appointed date), alter the limits of a district or 
constitute a new district. 
                                                           
1This Ordinance was promulgated by the Governor of West Pakistan on October 8, 1960 , published in the Gaz ette of West 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated December 13, 1960, p p. 4703-4705; saved and given permanent effect by Article 225 of the 
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (1962). 
2Substituted for the words “West Pakistan” by the Punjab Laws (Ad aptation) Order, 1974 (1 of 1974)  (w.e.f. 14.8.1973), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated November 20, 1974, Article 2(2) read with Schedule, Part III, Serial No. 
41.  
3Ibid. 
4Ibid.  
5Ibid.  
6Substituted by the West Pakistan Laws (Extension to Karachi) Ordinance, 1964 (VII of 1964), published in the Gazette of West 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 25, 1964, s. 2 read with Schedule, Serial No. 40. 
7Substituted for the words “West Pakistan” by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1974 (1 of 1974)  (w.e.f. 14.8.1973), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated November 20, 1974, Article 2(2) read with Schedule, Part III, Serial No. 
41. 
8Substituted for the words “Government of West Pakistan” by the Order ibid. 
4. Application of laws.– Where in pursuance of section 3 any  area (hereinafter 
referred to as the added area) is added to any district (hereinafter referred to as the 
district concerned)– 
(a) no law in force in the district concerned immediately before the 
appointed date, shall, except as hereinafter provided, exte nd to the 
added area; 
(b) all laws in force in the added area immediately before the appointed 
date, shall continue until altered, repealed or amended by a competent 
authority; 
(c) references in the laws in force in the added areas immediately before 
the a ppointed date to any authority, functionary, officer or office, 
howsoever worded, shall, on and from the appointed date, be 
construed as references to the corresponding authority, functionary, 
officer or office in the district concerned; 
(d) Government may, by notified order extend any law which is in force in 
the district concerned and which the 
1
[Governor of the Punjab] is 
competent to make, to the added area and thereon any law in force in 
the added area corresponding to the provisions of such law shall stand 
repealed. 
5. Adaptations.– With effect on and from the sixteenth September, 1960, 
references to the district of Shahpur, howsoever worded, appearing in any Act, 
Ordinance, order, bye -law, rule, regulation, notification, form or instrument, which 
immediately before the said date has the force of law, in the said district, shall be 
construed as references to the district of Sargodha. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
1Substituted for th e words “Governor of West Pakistan” by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1974 (1 of 1974)  (w.e.f. 
14.8.1973), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated November 20, 1974, Article 2(2) read with Schedule, Part 
III, Serial No. 41.