PUNJAB FERTILIZERS CONTROL ACT 2025

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THE PUNJAB FERTILIZERS CONTROL ACT 2025 
(XLIII of 2025) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Controller, Additional Controller, Deputy Controller and Assistant Controller 
4. Inspection committees 
5.  Registration Committee 
6. Licensing 
7. Cancellation of license 
8. Appeal against cancellation of license 
9. Change in license 
10. Restrictions and prohibitions 
11. Licensing of a dealer and sub-dealer 
12.  Cancellation of license of a dealer and sub-dealer 
13. Fixing of maximum quantity which may be held or sold 
14. Notification of prices 
15. Marking of prices and exhibiting price lists 
16. Power to order sale 
17. Restriction on movement 
18. Track and trace a fertilizer 
19. Issuance of receipt 
20. Refusal to sell 
21. Declaration of godowns, storehouses or warehouses etc. 
22. Maintenance of record 
23. Packing and labeling 
24. Security features 
25. Powers of the Controller 
26.  Powers of the Additional Controller (Field) 
27.  Powers of the Additional Controller (Technical) 
28. Powers of the Additional Controller 
29. Powers of the Deputy Controller 
30.  Powers of the Assistant Controller 
31. Procedure of Sampling 
32. Government Fertilizer Testing Laboratories and analytical methodologies 
33. Report of result of analysis 
34. Appeal against analysis 
35. Disposal of expired, fake, adulterated and sub-standard fertilizer 
36. Offences and penalties 
37. Fee 
38. Delegation of powers 
39. Cognizance of offences 
40. Obstruction to lawful authority 
41. Indemnity 
42. Rules 
43. Removal of difficulties 
44. Right to appeal 
45. Provisions of the Act 
46. Repeal and savings 
 
 
  
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB FERTILIZERS CONTROL ACT 2025 
(XLIII of 2025) 
[29th May, 2025] 
An 
Act 
to provide for regulation and control of fertilizer in the Punjab. 
It is necessary to provide for the regulation and control of the manufacture, supply, 
importation, distribution, dealership, quality standards, pricing, licensing, advertising, 
transportation, storage, sale, monitoring, and disposal of fertilizers in the P unjab, ensure 
availability of quality fertilizers for agricultural purposes and the matters ancillary thereto 
and connected therewith.  
Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: 
1. Short title , extent  and commencement.– (1) This Act may be cited  as the 
Punjab Fertilizers Control Act 2025. 
 (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 Punjab Fertilizers Control Act 2025; 
(b) “Additional Controller ” means the Additional Controller as provided under 
section 3 of the Act; 
(c) “Additional Secretary (Task Force) ” means the Additional Secretary (Task 
Force), Government of the Punjab, Agriculture Department; 
(d) “adulterated” denotes a fertilizer wherein the nutritional stre ngth of an 
ingredient is less than 69.9%, falling within the range of up to 30% of the 
approved limit for active ingredients or viable cells count specified in the 
applicable standard; 
(e) “Assistant Controller ” means the Assistant Controller as provided under  
section 3 of the Act; 
(f) “batch” means an identifiable quantity of fertilizer manufactured and 
processed under uniform conditions in a single lot; 
(g) “bio-fertilizer” means the product containing carrier based, either solid or 
liquid, living microorganisms whic h are agriculturally useful in terms of 
nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization or nutrients mobilization, to 
increase the productivity of the soil or crop; 
(h) “bio-stimulants” mean a product that is applied to plants or soil to enhance 
plant growth, development, and includes, but is not limited to, plant growth 
promoters, plant growth regulators, soil microorganisms, amino acids, 
humic-acids, fulvic-acids, seaweed extracts, and other naturally occurring 
substances that improve plant nutrition and stress tolerance; 
(i) “brand” means the trade name applied by a manufacturer or importer to the 
fertilizer; 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 21 May 2025; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab on 29 
May 2025; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 29 May 2025, pp. 4791-4803. 
(j) “Controller" means the Controller as provided under section 3 of the Act; 
(k) “crop supplements ” means any material, substance or mixture of 
substances, other than  major fertilizer, that is manufactured, sold, or 
represented for use in the improvement of the physical condition of soils or 
to aid plant growth or crop yields; 
(l) “dealer” means a person or an association of persons carrying on the 
business of selling any brand of fertilizer whether on wholesale or on retail 
having license from the Deputy Controller; 
(m) “Department” means Agriculture Department of the Government; 
(n) “Deputy Controller” means the Deputy Controller as provided under section 
3 of the Act; 
(o) “distributor” means a person, or an association of persons engaged in the 
distribution of a fertilizer; 
(p) “essential plant nutrient elements ” include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, 
nitrogen phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, boron, 
copper, iron, manganese, zinc, molybdenum and chlorine; 
(q) “expired” means a fertilizer of which validity date mentioned by the 
manufacturer, where applicable, has passed; 
(r) “fake” means a fertilizer whose nutritional strength is below 30% of the 
approved limit for active ingredient o r viable cells count given in the 
applicable standard or any fertilizer that does not conform to parameter 
beyond chemical criteria; 
(s) “fertilizer” means any material, organic or inorganic, or mixture used to 
supply one or more of the essential plant nutrien t elements; and includes, 
within its scope, bio -fertilizer, bio -stimulant, crop supplement, soil 
conditioner, and soil and water amendment; 
(t) “Form” means a Form as prescribed under the Act; 
(u) “Government” means Government of the Punjab;  
(v) “importer” means a pe rson or an association of persons importing into 
Pakistan whether under an import license or otherwise, any brand of 
fertilizer from outside Pakistan and includes a buying agent, an indenter 
and a manufacturer’s agent; 
(w) “major fertilizer ” means solid fertil izer material containing anyone, two, or 
three macronutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash; 
(x) “manufacturer” means a person, or an association of persons engaged in 
manufacturing or production of fertilizer; 
(y) “marking” refers to any written or grap hic information that is printed on or 
attached to a fertilizer container, bag, or other retail package, if present; 
(z) “misbranded” means an unauthorized utilization of already notified product 
with approved label having certain nomenclature that possesses th e ability 
to differentiate one company's product from another as per approved 
standards; 
(aa) “mislabeled” means a fertilizer that is not marketed in accordance with the 
label as per the notified standard; 
(bb) “notified” means notified by the Controller under the Act; 
(cc) “packing” refers to the package or container, along with specified pack size 
outlined in the respective standard for any fertilizer; 
(dd) “person” means a natural person or legal entity and includes an individual, 
or association of individuals, firm, partne rship, society, group, a public or 
private limited company, corporation, cooperative society or any other body 
corporate; 
(ee) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules made or framed under the Act; 
(ff) “producer” means a person engaged in the manufacturing or production of 
a fertilizer; 
(gg) “PSQCA” means Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority; 
(hh) “rules” means the rules made under the Act; 
(ii) “soil conditioner” means a product applied to soil to modify its 
characteristics, including but not limited to its struc ture, water -holding 
capacity, aeration, pH balance, nutrient availability, and microbial activity; 
(jj) “special circumstances” means when supply of fertilizer is short and 
demand is high in the market; 
(kk) “standard fertilizer” means any material, organic or inorg anic, or mixture 
used to supply one or more of the essential plant nutrient elements whose 
specifications are established by PSQCA and adapted by the Additional 
Controller (Technical); 
(ll) “standard operating procedure” means the standard operating procedures 
under section 25 of the Act; 
(mm) “standard” means specifications established by PSQCA; 
(nn) “sub-dealer” means a person, having license from the Deputy Controller, 
who receives fertilizer from the dealer with acknowledgment and sells it 
directly to farmers; 
(oo) “sub-standard fertilizer ” means a fertilizer whose nutritional strength falls 
below 95% up to 70% of the approved limit for active ingredient or viable 
cells count given in the applicable standard; 
(pp) “unlicensed fertilizer” means a fertilizer that is not manufactured, imported, 
distributed, stored, sold or offered for sale in conformity with the prescribed 
license as stipulated under the Act; and 
(qq) “water conditioner”  means a product added to water to alter its 
characteristics, including but not limited to its pH bala nce, hardness, 
alkalinity and turbidity, with the intention of making the water more suitable 
for irrigation. 
3. Controller, Additional Controller, Deputy Controller and Assistant 
Controller.– (1) The Secretary of the Department  shall be the Controller for the 
purposes of the Act. 
 (2) The Director of Agriculture (Extension) Hqrs, Punjab shall be the Additional 
Controller (Field) at provincial level for the purposes of the Act. 
 (3) The Chief Scientist, Soil Fertility Research In stitute, Punjab, shall be the 
Additional Controller (Technical) at provincial level for the purposes of the Act. 
 (4) The Director of Agriculture (Extension) /Divisional Incharge , shall be the 
Additional Controller at Division level for the purposes of the Act.  
 (5) The Deputy Director Agriculture  (Extension)/District Incharge  shall be the 
Deputy Controller at District level for the purposes of the Act. 
 (6) The Assistant Director Agriculture (Extension)/Tehsil Incharge shall be the 
Assistant Controller at Tehsil level for the purposes of the Act. 
4. Inspection committees.– The Controller may , by an order , in writing, constitute 
one or more inspection committees at provincial level and one inspection committee in 
each division to carry out the purposes of the Act. 
5.  Registration Committee.– The Controller may, by an order , in writing, constitute 
registration committee at provincial level to carry out the purposes of the Act. 
6. Licensing.– (1) No person shall manufacture, import, distribute, store, sell and 
offer for sale any fertilizer without obtaining a license under the Act. 
 (2) An application, on a format as may be prescribed, for grant of license as 
manufacturer, importer, distributor, after fulfilling such conditions and on payment of such 
fee, as may be prescribed and complete in all respects, shall be submitted to the 
Additional Controller (Technical) through an online process or by hand. 
 (3) The office of Additional Con troller (Technical) shall , after receipt of the 
application under sub-section (2), process it in the manner as may be prescribed. 
 (4) If the application is found complete in all respects, the Additional Controller 
(Technical) shall forward the same to the inspection committee for inspection of the unit 
or site, as the case may be,  as provided in the application , in such manner  as may be 
prescribed. 
 (5) The inspection committee, after conducti ng inspection, shall submit its 
report along with its recommendations, to the Additional Controller (Technical) within 
such period as may be prescribed.  
(6) An applicant aggrieved of the recommendations of the inspection 
committee may, within seven days of the receipt of such recommendations, file a 
representation before the Additional Controller ( Field) who may, if considers suitable, 
direct re -inspection of the unit or site, as the case may be, by another inspection 
committee and t he recommendations of such inspection committee , after its re -
inspection, shall be final. 
 (7) On receipt of the report of the inspection committee, the Additional 
Controller (Technical), shall  forward the case to the registration  committee for 
consideration of the case.  
(8) On the recommendations of registration committee, the Additional 
Controller (Technical) shall issue the license in favor of the applicant for a period of three 
years which may be renewed for another term of th ree years subject to fulfilling of such 
terms and conditions and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed. 
 (9) In case the license is refused, a representation, within a period of ten days 
of such refusal, may be filed before the Additional Secretary (Task Force) who shall, after 
hearing the applicant and perusing the relevant record, pass a speaking order which 
shall be final. 
7. Cancellation of license.– (1) The Additional Controller (Technical), on his own or 
on a report or application received by  him, finds that violation of any provision of the A ct 
or the rules made thereunder  has been made, may issue a notice to  the violator to  
remove the violation within one month.  
(2) If the manufacturer, importer or distributor fails to remove the violation 
within the given period, the Additional Controller (Technical) may, after affording an 
opportunity of being heard, cancel the license of such manufacturer, importer or 
distributor. 
8. Appeal against cancellation of license.– (1) A manufacturer, importer or 
distributor whose license has been cancelled under the Act,  may file an appeal, within 
ten days of such cancellation, to the Additional Secretary (Task Force) , who shall pass 
appropriate order thereupon.  
 (2) An appeal against the order of the Additional Secretary (Task Force) may be 
filed before the C ontroller who shall, after hearing of the applicant and perusing the 
relevant record, pass speaking order which shall be final. 
9. Change in license.– (1) A manufacturer, importer or distributor who intends to 
change the particulars given in the license, shall apply to Additional Controller 
(Technical), in such manner and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed. 
(2) In case the change in the license is ref used, the aggrieved may, within ten 
days of such refusal, file an appeal to the Additional Secretary (Task Force) who shall, 
after affording an opportunity of being heard, pass appropriate order thereupon  which 
shall be final. 
10. Restrictions and prohibitions.– (1) No manufacturer , importer, distributor, 
dealer and sub-dealer shall manufacture, import, distribute, deal, store, supply, offer for 
sale or use any fertilizer which is fake or adulterated or substandard or unlicensed, or 
misbranded or mi slabeled or underweight or expired or tampered or hazardous or 
dangerous or harmful to human health, safety or environment. 
 (2) No manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub-dealer shall dispose 
of, or cause to be disposed of, any fertilizer, whether by way of burial, burning, dumping, 
or otherwise, unless such disposal  is in full compliance with such  procedure as may be 
prescribed. 
(3) No manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub-dealer shall destroy, 
obliterate, damage, alter, or cause to be destroyed, obliterated, damaged any label or 
sign affixed to a container or package of fertilizer or alter any marking or indication of the 
price or sell on higher price or use license other than the purpose provided in the license. 
(4) No manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub-dealer shall engage 
in the sale or  offer for sale any fertilizer unless such fertilizer is labeled and marked in 
such manner as may be prescribed , including but not limited to the requirements 
pertaining to labeling and marking of containers or packages, disclosure of net weight or 
volume, declaration of nutrient content, warning and caution statements and conformity 
with other prescribed labeling and marking requirements.  
(5) No manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub -dealer shall 
manufacture, import, distribute , deal, sale  or offer for sale  agricultural grade gypsum 
below minimum purity of seventy percent and a mesh size of not less than thirty and 
such gypsum shall not be manufa ctured or imported or distributed or dealt with , sold or 
offered for sale in a granular form. 
11. Licensing of a dealer and sub-dealer.– (1) No dealer and sub-dealer shall deal 
in any fertilizer without obtaining a license as a dealer or sub-dealer, as the case may be, 
from Deputy Controller of the respective District, in such  manner, upon payment of such 
fee and on such terms and  conditions as may be prescribed.  
 (2) The Deputy Controller, after such further enquiry, if any, as he may 
consider necessary, is satisfied that the requisite requirements have been complied with, 
may issue a license to the applicant as a dealer or sub -dealer, as the case may be, for a 
period of three years which may be renewed for a further period of three year , subject to 
payment of such fee and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.  
 (3) In case application for grant of a license or renewal, as the case may be, is 
rejected, such rejection shall contain  reasons and the same shall be communicated to 
the applicant. 
 (4) The applicant, whose application is rejected under the Act, may  within ten 
days of communication of such rejection, prefer an appeal as may be prescribed. 
12.  Cancellation of  license of a dealer and sub-dealer.– (1) If a dealer or sub -
dealer licensed under the Act, is found guilty of malpractices involving adulteration or any 
other activity rep ugnant to the provisions of the  Act, the Deputy Controller may, after 
affording an opportunity of being heard, by an order in writing stating the reasons thereof, 
cancel the license. 
 (2) The person whose license has been cancelled may file an  appeal to the 
Additional Controller within thirty days of the receipt of such cancellation. 
 (3) An appeal against the order of the Additional Controller may be filed before 
the Additional Secretary (Task Force) who shall, after hearing of the applicant and 
perusing the relevant record, pass speaking order thereupon which shall be final.  
13. Fixing of maximum quantity which may be held or sold.– The Controller may, 
by an order  in writing,  in respect of any f ertilizer as and when required  in special 
circumstances, fix the maximum quantity which may be held or sold by manufacturer, 
importer, distributor, dealer and sub-dealer. 
14. Notification of prices.– The Deputy Controller may, by an order in writing, notify 
maximum price of any brand of  fertilizer in his territorial jurisdiction and no person shall 
sell such fertilizer at a price higher than the notified price  and such price list shall be 
exhibited at a prominent place in the premises of sale point. 
15. Marking of prices and exhibiting price lists .– The Controller may, in writing , 
direct any importer, manufacturer, distributor, dealer and sub -dealer to mark fertilizer 
exposed or intended for sale with the sale price or to exhibit on his premises a price list 
of fertilizer held by him for sale and m ay further give directions regarding the manner of 
sale. 
16. Power to order sale .– The Controller may , by an order in writing, direct a ny 
manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub-dealer to store,  sell or offer for sale 
fertilizer in special circumstances. 
17. Restriction on movement.– The Controller may impose restrictions on movement 
of fertilizer within or outside the district or province of the Punjab in special 
circumstances. 
18. Track and trace a fertilizer.– (1) The Department shall, for ensuring the 
authenticity and origin of a fertilizer, establish a track and trace system and monitor to 
ensure compliance: 
Provided that until the trac k and trace system is established by the Department, 
the information shall be shared manually in such manner and form as may be prescribed. 
 (2) A manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub -dealer shall enter the 
details of the fertilizer stock in the track and trace system established by the Department 
and non-compliance thereto shall be treated as violation of the provisions of the Act. 
19. Issuance of receipt.– A manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub -
dealer shall issue a receipt on each sale of  fertilizer to the purchaser and such receipt, 
either system generated or in a manual form, shall contain details of the sale with full 
address of the purchaser.  
20. Refusal to sell .– Subject to the provision s of section 13 of th e Act, no 
manufacturer, importer, dealer  and sub-dealer shall , with previous authorization of the 
Controller, refuse to sell to any person any fertilizer. 
21. Declaration of godowns, storehouses or warehouses etc.– (1) Every 
manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer and sub -dealer holding stock of fertilizer shall, 
after the commencement of the Act, submit to the Deputy Controller a declaration  of the 
place where such stock of fertilizer is kept or stored.  
 (2) When any such importer, manufacturer, distributor, dealer and sub-dealer or 
other person as aforesaid , desires to change the place of stock of fertilizer after he had 
made declaration under sub-section (1), shall bring to the notice of the Deputy Controller 
his intention to change the place at least one month before or after such change. 
22. Maintenance of record.– Every manufacturer, importer, distributor , dealer and 
sub-dealer shall maintain and furnish record  of all sale and purchase  of fertilizer in such 
form as may be prescribed.  
23. Packing and labeling.– (1) The package or container of fertilizer shall be such as 
is suitable for its storage and transportatio n and shall be of such material  which does not 
adulterate or deteriorate the fertilizer. 
 (2) No person shall sell or offer for sale or hold in stock for sale any fertilizer 
unless it is labeled as under: 
(a) Brand name:   
(b) Category:   
(c) PS /  Reference 
No. 
 
(d) License No.  
(e) Composition: Nutrients 
(%) 
W/W 
(for 
solid) 
W/V 
(for Liquid) 
Nutrients (%) W/W 
(for 
solid) 
W/V 
(for 
Liquid) 
 (i) 
(ii) 
  (iii) 
(iv) 
 
  
(f) Net weight: 
(g) Name & address of manufacturer or importer: 
(h) Name & Address of distributor: 
(i) Batch No. with date: (as prescribed) 
24. Security features.– (1) Quick response code and human readable alphanumeric 
code shall be affixed  on bag or container  to help trace the origin of the fertilizer and 
provide contact information of manufacturer or importer or distributor.  
 (2) Covert security feature shall be affixed  on bag or container  as a  hidden 
feature that requires an electronic handheld device for verification, aiding field inspectors 
in detecting counterfeit products.  
25. Powers of the Controller.– The Controller shall have powers to: 
(a) overall monitor and enforce the standards , mechanisms, methodologies of 
production and test regarding fertilizer for the purposes of the Act; 
(b) monitor the availability, pricing, quality and licensing of fertilizer; 
(c) take appropriate measures to ensure supply, quality and fair pricing of 
fertilizer; 
(d) hear appeals against orders passed by the  Additional Secretary (Task 
Force); 
(e) exercise the powers  of Additional Controller, Additional Controller (Field), 
Additional Controller (Technical), Deputy Controller and Assistant 
Controller under the Act; and 
(f) issue guidelines or stand ard operating procedures for the purposes of the 
Act subject to the provisions of the Act, rules made thereunder. 
26.  Powers of the Additional Controller (Field ).– The Additional Controller (Field)  
shall have powers to: 
(a) require the requisite information from a fertilizer manufacturer, importer or 
distributor under the Act; 
(b) draw sample of fertilizer throughout the province as and when required; 
(c) hear appeals against orders passed by the  Director of Agriculture 
(Extension)/Divisional Incharge; 
(d) hear appeal against recommendations of inspection committee  as 
prescribed; 
(e) exercise all powers of Deputy Controller and Assistant Controller; and 
(f) perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Controller.  
27.  Powers of the Additional Controller  (Technical).– The Additional Controller 
(Technical) shall have powers to: 
(a) grant, renew, cancel or withdraw license of fertilizer under the Act; 
(b) monitor the manufacturing unit for production, quality assurance and 
warehouse as and when required; 
(c) monitor the Government Fertilizer Testing L aboratories as and when 
required for transparency and traceability of test result;     
(d) extend expert opinion regarding production and analysis methodologies; 
(e) obtain retesting of fertilizer sample  as and when required for verification of 
test results of the laboratories; 
(f) conduct field trials of new products as and when required  for evaluation 
purposes; 
(g) exercise all powers of Deputy Controller; and 
(h) perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Controller. 
28. Powers of the Additional Controller.– The Additional Controller shall have 
powers to: 
(a) require information from a fertilizer manufacturer, importer, distributor , 
dealer and sub-dealer under the Act; 
(b) draw sample of fertilizer throughout the division as and when required; 
(c) hear appeal against the order  passed by the Deputy Controller  and 
Assistant Controller; 
(d) exercise all powers of Deputy Controller; and 
(e) perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Controller. 
29. Powers of the Deputy Controller.– (1) The Deputy Controller shall have powers 
to: 
(a) issue license to fertilizer dealers and sub-dealers in the respective District; 
(b) notify maximum price of fertilizer in the respective district; 
(c) inspect fertilizer unit, warehouse, and other related infrastructure; and 
(d) perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Controller. 
(2)  In addition to the above, the Deputy Controller may exercise the powers of 
an Assistant Controller for carrying out the purposes of the Act.  
30.  Powers of the Assistant Controller.– The Assistant Controller shall have 
powers to:  
(a) require any person to give such information as he possesses with respect 
to any business in fertilizer carried on by that person or any other person; 
(b) inspect or cause to be inspected any book or other document belonging to 
or under the control of any person and shall provide the copy and get 
receiving for the concrete evidence; 
(c) enter, search and seal  any premises , seal or  seize any unlicensed  or 
misbranded fertilizer, material, articles, record, or equipment to which the 
offence relates or found in such premises;  
(d) dispose of any fertilizer, material, article, or thing seized, under clause (c) 
or under the Act or rules made thereunder; 
(e) apply for police assistance in case of any hindrance and the police officer 
to whom he applies shall provide such assistance as may be  necessary for 
the purpose of sealing or seizing in prescribed form or taking into 
possession any fertilizer, sample of fertilizer, material, articles, record, or 
thing; 
(f) take sample of fertilizer as per procedure given under the Act; 
(g) initiate legal action against a manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer, 
sub-dealer, or any other individual based on the test results of a fertilizer 
sample received from the Government Fertilizer Testing Laboratory  under 
the Act; and 
(h) exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying into effect 
the provisions of the Act or rules made there under. 
31. Procedure of Sampling .– (1) Where the Deputy Controller or Assistant 
Controller, as the case may be,  takes a sample of a fertilizer for the purpose of test or 
analysis, he shall intimate , in writing , on prescribed Form to the person f rom whose 
possession he takes  and, in the presence of such person, unless he willfully absents 
himself, shall divide the sample into three portions in the sampling bottles and effectively 
seal and suitably mark the same and permit such person to add his own seal and mark 
to all or any of the portions so sealed and marked. 
 (2)  Where the quantity of fertilizer is less than one liter or one kilo gram in a 
sealed container of fertilizer , the Controller  or any officer authorized by him shall take 
three of the sealed containers of fertilizer after suitably marking the same and  sealing 
them. 
 (3)  The Deputy Controller or Assistant Controller, as the case may be,  or any 
officer authorized by him  shall, forthwith, send the sampling bottles or the sealed 
containers of fertilizer in the following manners: 
(a) first portion of the sample to the Government  Fertilizer Testing Laboratory 
in the Punjab for test and analysis; 
(b) second portion of the sample to the Provincial Reference Fertilizer Testing 
Laboratory; and 
(c) third portion of the sample to the person from whom he takes it that may be 
utilized as may be prescribed.  
 (4) The sampling bottles or the sealed containers of fertilizer  shall be in sealed 
packet together with copies of the memorandum in prescribed Form, placed in an outer 
cover, by registered post or through a special messenger. 
 (5) The packet as well as the outer cover shall be marked with a distinguishing 
number. 
 (6) A copy of the memorandum in prescribed Form and a special impression of 
the seal used to seal the packet shall be sent together with the sample. 
 (7) On receipt of the packet, it shall be open ed by the Chief Scientist or the 
Principal Scientist, as the case may be, or an officer authorized by him who shall record 
the condition of the seal on the packet. 
32. Government Fertilizer Testing Laboratories and analytical methodologies .– 
(1) The soil and water testing laboratories for research at divisional level shall serve as 
Government Fertilizer Testing Laboratories.  
 (2) The laboratory of the Punjab Agriculture, Food  and Drug Authority shall 
function as the Provincial Reference Fertilizer Te sting Laboratory, until so operated , the 
Provincial Reference Fertilizer Testing Laboratory in Raiwind, Lahore, shall function as 
the Provincial Reference Fertilizer Testing Laboratory. 
 (3) The Additional Controller (Technical) shall notify the methods of analysis of 
fertilizer which shall be applied by the Government Fertilizer Testing L aboratories and 
private sector’s laboratories for monitoring the quality of fertilizers.   
33. Report of result of analysis.– (1) After the test or analysis ha s been completed, 
the Chief Scientist or Principal Scientist of the laboratory  or an officer authorized by him 
shall forthwith supply to the concerned officer an analysis report of the result of the test 
or analysis.  
 (2) The report of the test or analysis shall be signed by the Chief Scientist or the 
Principal Scientist himself or an authorized officer and such report shall be conclusive 
proof of the particulars stated therein.  
 (3) The concerned officer shall deliver one copy of the report received by him to 
the person from whose possession the sample was taken and send one copy to Chief 
Scientist, Soil Fertility Research Institute, Punjab, Lahore.  
34. Appeal against analysis .– (1) Any person aggrieved by report  may file appeal, 
against the analysis conducted by the Government Fertilizer Testing L aboratory, within 
thirty days of the delivery of report to him, before the Additional Secretary (Task Force) in 
the prescribed Form.  
 (2) An onus to prove the analysis incorrect shall be on an aggrieved person and 
in case of re-analysis, the prescribed fee shall be charged.  
 (3) In case , the sample is declared as sub-standard by the Government 
Fertilizer Testing Laboratory, legal action shall be initiated after reanalysis of the second 
portion of sample by the Provincial Reference Fertilizer Testing Laboratory whereas in 
cases of declaration of sample by the  Government F ertilizer Testing L aboratory as 
adulterated or fake, FIR shall be lodged abruptly. 
 (4) The report of re -analysis shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated 
therein. 
35. Disposal of expired , fake, adulterated and sub -standard fertilizer.– (1) Any 
fertilizer, which is found fake or expired, shall be  recalled, buried , burnt, dumped or 
disposed of in such manner as may be prescribed. 
 (2) Any fertilizer, which is found adulterated or sub-standard, shall be disposed 
of in such manners as may be prescribed. 
36. Offences and penalties.– (1) Whoever manufactures, produces, formulates, 
imports, repacks, transports, distributes, sells, offers for sale, holds in stock for sale or 
advertises for sale of any or all of the following category of fertilizers shall be punished: 
(a) in case of offence relating to a fake or unlicensed fertilizer: 
(i) with imprisonment for a term which may extend to four years, but not 
less than two years and with fine which may extend to two million 
rupees, but not less than one million rupees , in case of commission 
of the first offence; 
(ii) with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, but not 
less than two years and with fine which may extend to four million 
rupees, but not less than two million rupees, in case of commission 
of the second offence; and 
(iii) with imprisonment for a t erm which may extend to seven years, but 
not less than three years  and with fine which may extend to four 
million but shall not less than two million rupees and cancellation of 
license for every subsequent offence; 
(b) in case of offence relating to an adulterated fertilizer: 
(i) with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, but 
not less than one year and with fine which may extend to one and a 
half million rupees, but not less than half million rupees, in case of 
commission of the first offence; 
(ii) with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six years, but not 
less than two years and with fine which may extend to three million 
rupees, but which shall not be less than one million rupees, in case 
of commission of the second offence; and 
(iii) with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six years, but not 
less than three years and with fine which may extend to three million 
but not less than one million rupees and cancellation of license for 
every subsequent offence; 
(c) in case of offence relating to a substandard fertilizer: 
(i) with fine which may extend to one million rupees, but not less than 
half million rupees in case of commission of the first offence;  
(ii) with fine which may extend to two million rupees but not less than 
one million rupees,  in case of commission of the second offence, if 
committed within three years from the first offence; and  
(iii) with fine which may extend to two million  rupees but not less than 
one million rupees and cancellation of license for every subsequent 
offence, if committed within three years from the first offence; 
(d) in case of offence relating to mislabeled fertilizer: 
(i) with fine which may extend to two million rupees, but not less than 
one million rupees in case of commission of the first offence; and 
(ii) with fine which may extend to two million rupees but not less than 
one million rupees and cancellation of license for every subsequent 
offence; and 
(e) in case of offence relating to misbranded fertilizer: 
(i) with fine which may extend to two million rupees, but not less than 
one million rupees in case of commission of the first offence; and 
(ii) with fine which may extend to two million rupees but not less than 
one million rupees and  cancellation of license for every subsequent 
offence. 
 (2) Whoever manufactures or imports or distributes or sells  fertilizer in 
contravention of the Act or unlawfully uses lic ense number shall be liable to punishment 
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months  and with fine which may 
extend to two million rupees but not less than one million rupees or with both. 
 (3) Whoever sells or offers for sale an expired fertilizer or fertilizer for more 
than the price marked or impressed on the bag, box, pack, packet par cel, or anything 
containing the fertilizer shall be liable to punishment with imprisonment for a term which 
may extend to six months  and with fine which may extend to one million  rupees but not 
less than half million rupees or with both. 
 (4) Whoever stores, sells, offers for sale or runs business of sale of a fertilizer 
without a valid license of dealership shall be liable to punishment with imprisonment for a 
term which may extend to six months  and with fine which may extend to five hundred 
thousand rupees but not less than one hundred thousand rupees or with both. 
 (5) In case of any offenc e concerning to infringement of packing and marking, 
the offender shall be liable to punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend 
to six months with and a fine may be imposed  up to one million rupees but not less than 
half a million rupees or with both. 
 (6) In case of any offence  concerning infringement of underweight , the 
offender shall be liable to punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 
six months and with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees but not less 
than one hundred thousand rupees or with both. 
 (7) Whoever sells or offers f or sale a fertilizer containing a hazardous or 
dangerous or harmful to human health, safety, or environment , shall be liable to 
punishment with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months  and with fine 
which may extend to one million rupees but not less than half million rupees or with both. 
 (8) Any person who sells or offers for sale a fertilizer and is found guilty of 
destroying, obliterating, damaging, altering, or causing to be destroyed, obliterated, 
damaged, any label or sign affixed to a container or package of fertilizer, or alters any 
marking or indication of the price, shall be liable to a fine not less than five hundred 
thousand rupees but not more than one million rupees. 
 (9) A person who contravenes sub-section (5) of section 10 of the Act by 
selling or offering for sale agricultural grade gypsum that does not conform to the 
prescribed standards, including a minimum purity of seventy percent and a mesh size of 
not less than thirty or gypsum in a granular form, shall commit an offence punishable with 
a fine of not less than one million rupees but not exceeding two million rupees. 
 (10) A person who violates or fails to comply with the requirements for the 
disposal of fertilizer, including burial, burning, dumping, or any other means, unless such 
disposal is done strictly in accordance with the prescribed procedure, shall be guilty of an 
offence punishable with a fine not less than five hundred thousand rupees  but not more 
than one million rupees. 
 (11) Whoever contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of the 
Act for which no other penalty is provided, shall be punished with fine which may extend 
to one hundred thousand rupees but not less than fifty thousand rupees. 
37. Fee.– The fee  required under the Act shall be paid in such manner as may be 
prescribed and which shall be non-refundable. 
38. Delegation of powers.– The Controller may, by notification in the official Gazette, 
direct that all or any of his powers under th e Act shall, in such circumstances and under 
such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the direction, be exercised by any officer 
or authority subordinate to him. 
39. Cognizance of offences .– (1) The offences under sub-sections 1(a) and 1(b) of 
section 36 shall be cognizable and all other offences shall be non-cognizable.  
(2) No Court shall take cognizance of a n on-cognizable offence under the  Act 
except on a complaint under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (V of 1898) by any 
officer authorized by the Controller.  
(3) The Court of competent jurisdiction shall try the offences u nder the Act in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in the Code  of Criminal Procedure 1898  (V of 
1898). 
40. Obstruction to lawful authority .– (1) Anyone who deliberately obstructs, 
hinders, or in any manner opposes any aut hority in the execution of its  duties under the 
Act shall be subject to maximum imprisonment of six months and fine not less than one 
hundred thousand rupees. 
(2) For each subseque nt similar offenc e, a minimum fine of two hundred 
thousand rupees, along with cancellation of the licence, shall be imposed. 
41. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any 
person for anything which is done in good faith or intended to be done in good faith 
under the Act and rules made thereunder. 
42. Rules.– The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules  
for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
43. Removal of difficulties .– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the 
provisions of the  Act, the Government may by an order  give such directions not 
inconsistent with provisions of the Act as it thinks fit for removing such difficulty. 
44. Right to appeal.– (1) An order of Assistant Controller shall be appealable 
before the Deputy Controller. 
 (2) An order of Deputy Controller shall be appealable before the Additional 
Controller/Director of Agriculture (Extension)/Divisional Incharge. 
 (3) An order of the Additional  Controller, Additional Controller (Field) and 
Additional Controller (Technical) shall be appealable before the Additional Secretary 
(Task Force). 
 (4) An order of the Additional Secretary (Task Force)  shall be appealable 
before the Controller. 
45. Provisions of the Act .– The provisions of the Act shall be in addition to, and not 
in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force. 
46. Repeal and savings.– (1) The Punjab Fertilizers (Control) Order, 1973 (VII of 
1973) is hereby repealed. 
 (2) Clause (j) of sub -section (2) of section 3 and entry No. 40 of the Schedule 
to the Punjab Essential Articles (Control) Act, 1973 (XVII of 1973) are hereby repealed. 
 (3) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Punjab Fertilizers (Control) Order, 1973 
(VII of 1973), any act, proceeding, action or notification passed, taken or issued under 
the repealed Order and Act shall, so far as it is not inconsis tent with the provisions of the 
Act, be deemed to have been pa ssed, taken or issued under the  Act and shall continue 
to have force unless it is superseded by an y act, proceeding, action or notification under 
the Act.  
 (4) An offence committed in relation to a fertilizer under the Punjab Essential 
Articles (Control) Act, 1973 (XVII of 1973), if being investigated, prosecuted or tried, shall 
continue to be investigated prosecuted or tried as if the Punjab Essential Articles 
(Control) Act, 1973 has not been repealed.