VOLUNTARY SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES (REGISTRATION AND CONTROL) ORDINANCE, 1961

Exact source transcription retained, including print layout and extraction artifacts. Text SHA-256: f85b6a216689d1310b00dc1e57a5591fcd94b1940887e79ce2aea1212570a7c0.

THE VOLUNTARY SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES 
(REGISTRATION AND CONTROL) ORDINANCE, 1961 
(XLVI of 1961) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 
3. Prohibition against establishing or continuing an agency without 
registration. 
4. Application for registration, etc. 
5. Establishment and continuance of agency. 
6. Appeal. 
7. Conditions to be complied with by registered agencies. 
8. Amendment of the constitution of registered agency. 
9. Suspension or dissolution of governing bodies of registered agencies. 
10. Dissolution of registered agency. 
11. Voluntary dissolution of registered agency. 
12. Consequences of dissolution. 
13. Inspection of documents, etc. 
14. Penalties and procedure. 
15. Indemnity. 
16. Power to amend Schedule. 
17. Power to exempt. 
18. Delegation of powers. 
19. Rules. 
THE SCHEDULE 
 
TEXT 
1
THE VOLUNTARY SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES (REGISTRATION AND 
CONTROL) ORDINANCE, 1961 
(XLVI of 1961) 
[2 December 1961] 
An 
Ordinance 
to provide for the registration and control of voluntary social welfare agencies. 
 WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the registration and control of 
voluntary social welfare agencies, and for matters ancillary thereto; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the seventh day of 
October, 1958, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the 
President is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:– 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Ordinance may be called 
the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance, 1961. 
 (2) It extends to the whole of 
2
[the Punjab]. 
 (3) It shall come into force on s uch date as the 
3
[Government] may, by 
notification in the official Gazette, appoint in this behalf. 
2. Definitions.– In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the 
subject or context,– 
(a) “agency” means a voluntary social welfare agency, and  includes any 
branch of such agency; 
(b) “governing body” means the council, committee, trustees or other body, 
by whatever name called, to whom, by the constitution of the agency, 
its executive functions and the management of its affairs are entrusted; 
4
[(bb) “Government” means Government of the Punjab;] 
(c) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under section 19; 
                                                           
1In pursuance of the Proclamation of the seventh day of October, 1958, and in exercise of  all powers enabling him in that 
behalf, the President promulgated this Ordinance, which was published in Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated December 
2, 1961, pp.  1627-1632. This Ordinance was originally in the Federal ambit, however, the subject o n which this law was 
enacted devolved to the provinces by virtue of 18th Amendment in the Constitution, hence it was adapted, with amendments, for 
the province of the Punjab by virtue of the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Act 2012 
(XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40159-40160. 
2Substituted for the word “Pakistan” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Act 
2012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40159-40160, s. 3. 
3Substituted for “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Act 
2012 (XIX of 2012), w.e.f.  11.2.2012, s. 2; published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), p p. 40159-40160. Which were 
earlier substituted for “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order,  1964 (P.O.  No. 1 of 1964), w.e.f. 
28.5.1964, Article 2 and the Schedule; published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), pp. 251c-251aap. 
4Inserted by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Act 2012 (XIX of 2012), published 
in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40159-40160, s. 4. 
(d) “register” means the register maintained under section 4, and 
“registered” shall mean registered under this Ordinance; 
(e) “Registration Authority” means 
1
[* * * *] an officer authorized by the 
2
[
3
[Government]], by notification in the official Gazette, to exercise all or 
any of the powers of the Registration Authority under this Ordinance; 
(f) “voluntary social welfare agency ” means an or ganization, association 
or undertaking established by persons of their own free will for the 
purpose of rendering welfare services in any one or more of the fields 
mentioned in the Schedule and depending for its resources on public 
subscriptions, donations or Government aid. 
3. Prohibition against establishing or continuing an agency without 
registration.– No agency shall be established or continued except in accordance 
with the provisions of this Ordinance. 
4. Application for registration, etc .– (1) Any person intending to establish an 
agency 
4
[* * * *]  shall, in the prescribed form, and on payment of the prescribed fee, 
make an application to the Registration Authority, accompanied by a copy of the 
constitution of the agency, and such other documents as may be prescribed. 
 (2) The Registration Authority may, on receipt of the application, make 
such enquiries as it considers necessary, and either grant the application, or, for 
reasons to be recorded in writing, reject it. 
 (3) If the Registration Authority g rants the application, it shall issue, in the 
prescribed form, a certificate of registration to the applicant. 
 (4) The Registration Authority shall maintain a register, containing such 
particulars as may be prescribed, of all certificates issued under sub-section (3). 
5. Establishment and continuance of agency.– (1) An agency 
5
[* * * *] shall be 
established only after a certificate of registration has been issued under sub -section 
(3) of section 4. 
 
6
[(2) * * * * * * * * *   ] 
 
7
[(3) * * * * * * * * *   ] 
                                                           
1Omitted the words “the Director of Social Welfare, Government of Pakistan, and includes” by the Central Adaptation of Laws 
Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, 
Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
2Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Order ibid. 
3Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40159-
40160, s. 2. 
4Omitted the coma and words “, and any person intending that an agency already in existence should be continued as such,” by 
the Federal Laws ( Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 ( XXVII of 19 81), published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), Part I, dated July 8, 1981, pp. 345-451, s. 3 read with Second Schedule. 
5Omitted the words “ not in existence on the coming into force of this Ordinance” by the Federal Laws (Revision and 
Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (XXVII of 1981), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), Part I, dated July 8, 1981, 
pp. 345-475, s. 3 read with Second Schedule. 
6Omitted by the Ordinance ibid. 
7Ibid. 
6. Appeal.– If the Registration Authority rejects an application for registration, 
the applicant may, within thirty days from the date of the order of the Registration 
Authority, prefer an appeal to the 
1
[
2
[Government]], and the order passed by the 
3
[
4
[Government]] shall be final and given effect to by the Registration Authority. 
7. Conditions to be complied with by registered agencies .– Every registered 
agency shall– 
(a) maintain audited accounts in the manner laid down by the Registration 
Authority; 
(b) at such time and in such manner as may be prescribed, submit it s 
Annual Report and audited accounts to the Registration Authority and 
publish the same for general information; 
(c) pay all moneys received by it into a separate account kept in its name 
at suc h bank or banks as may be approved by the Registration  
Authority; and 
(d) furnish to the Registration Authority such particulars with regard to 
accounts and other records as the Registration Authority may from time 
to time require. 
 (2) The Registration Au thority, or any officer duly authorized by it in this 
behalf, may at all reasonable times inspect the books of account and other records 
of the agency, the securities, cash and other properties held by the agency, and all 
documents relating thereto. 
8. Amendment of the constitution of registered agency .– (1) No amendment 
of the constitution of a registered agency shall be valid unless it has been approved 
by the Registration Authority, for which purpose a copy of the amendment shall be 
forwarded to the Registration Authority. 
 (2) If the Registration Authority is satisfied that any amendment of the 
constitution is not contrary to any of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules 
made thereunder, it may, if it thinks fit, approve the amendment. 
 (3) Where the Registration Authority approves an amendment of the 
constitution, it shall issue to the agency a copy of the amendment certified by it, 
which shall be conclusive evidence that the same is duly approved. 
9. Suspension or dissolution of governing bodies of registered agencies.– 
(1) If, after making such enquires as it may think fit, the Registration Authority is 
satisfied that a registered agency has been responsible for any irregularity in respect 
of its funds or for any maladministration in the conduct of its affairs or has failed to 
                                                           
1Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
2Substituted fo r the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
3Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
4Substituted for the words “Provinc ial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
comply with the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder, it may, by 
order in writing, suspend the governing body.  
 (2) Where a governing body is suspended under sub -section (1), the 
Registration Authority shall appoint an administrator, or a caretaker body consisting 
of not more than five persons, who shall have all the authority and powers of the 
governing body under the constitution of the agency. 
 (3) Every order of suspension under sub -section (1) shall be placed by the 
Registration Authority before a Board, consisting of not more than five persons, 
constituted by the 
1
[
2
[Government]] for the purpose, which shall have the power to 
make such order as to the re-instatement, or the dissolution and reconstitution, of the 
governing body, as it may think fit. 
 (4) The governing body against whom an order of dissolution and 
reconstitution is made under sub -section (3) may appeal to the 
3
[
4
[Government]], 
within thirty days from the date of such order, and the dec ision of the 
5
[
6
[Government]] shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court. 
10. Dissolution of registered agency .– (1) If at any time the Registration 
Authority has reason to believe that a registered agency is acting in contravention of  
its constitution, or contrary to any of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules 
made thereunder, or in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the public, it may, 
after giving such opportunity to the agency of being heard as it thinks fit, make a 
report thereon to the 
7
[
8
[Government]]. 
 (2) The 
9
[
10
[Government]], if satisfied after considering the report that it is 
necessary or proper to do so, may order that the agency shall stand dissolved on 
and from such date as may be specified in the order. 
                                                           
1Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
2Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by t he Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
3Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
4Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
5Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
6Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Re gistration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
7Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
8Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Contr ol) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
9Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
10Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
11. Voluntary dissolution of registered agency .– (1) No registered agency 
shall be dissolved by the governing body or members thereof. 
 (2) If it is proposed to dissolve any registe red agency, not less  than three-
fifths of its members may apply to the 
1
[
2
[Government]], in such manner as may be 
prescribed, for making an order for the dissolution of such agency. 
 (3) The 
3
[
4
[Government]], if satisfied after considering the application that it 
is proper to do so, may order that the agency shall stand dissolved on  and from such 
date as may be specified in the order. 
12. Consequences of dissolution .– (1) Where any agency is dissolved under 
this Ordinance, its registration thereunder shall stand cancelled on and from the date 
the order of dissolution takes effect, and the 
5
[
6
[Government]] may– 
(a) order any bank or other person who holds moneys, securities or other 
assets on behalf of the agency not to part with such moneys, securities 
and assets without the previous permission in writing of the 
7
[
8
[Government]]; 
(b) appoint a competent person to wind up the affairs of the agency, with 
power to institute and defend suits and other legal proceedings on 
behalf of the agency, and to make such orders and take such action as 
may appear to him to be necessary for the purpose; and 
(c) order any moneys, securities and assets remaining after the 
satisfaction of all debts and liabilities of the agency to be paid or 
transferred to such other agency, having objects similar to the objects 
of the agency, as may be specified in the order. 
 (2) Orders made by the person appointed under clause (b) of sub -section 
(1) shall, on application, be enforceable by any Civil Court having local jurisdiction in 
the same manner as a decree of such Court. 
                                                           
1Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
2Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
3Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
4Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Pun jab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
5Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
6Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraor dinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
7Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
8Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated Febru ary 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
13. Inspection of documents, etc .– Any person  may, on payment of the 
prescribed fee, inspect at the office of the Registration Authority any document 
relating to a registered agency, or obtain a copy of or an extract from any such 
document. 
14. Penalties and procedure.– (1) Any person who– 
(a) contravenes any of the provisions of this Ordinance, or any rule or 
order made thereunder; or 
(b) in any application for registration under this Ordinance, or in any report 
or statement submitted to the Registration Authority or published for 
general information  thereunder, makes any false statement or false 
representation; 
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 
six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or 
with both. 
(2) Where the person committing an offence unde r this Ordinance is a 
company, or other body corporate, or an association of persons, every director, 
manager, secretary and other officer thereof shall, unless he proves that the offence 
was committed without his knowledge or consent, be deemed to be guil ty of such 
offence. 
(3) No Court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Ordinance 
except upon complaint in writing made by the Registration Authority, or by an officer 
authorized by it in this behalf. 
15. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution or other l egal proceeding shall lie against 
any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this 
Ordinance. 
16. Power to amend Schedule.– The 
1
[
2
[Government]] may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, amend the Schedule so as to include therein or exclude therefrom 
any field of social welfare service. 
17. Power to exempt .– The 
3
[
4
[Government]] may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, exempt any agency or class of agencies from the operation of all or any of 
the provisions of this Ordinance. 
18. Delegation of powers .– The 
1
[
2
[Government]] may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, delegate all or any of its powers under this Ordinance, either 
                                                           
1Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
2Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
3Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
4Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
generally, or in respect of such agency or class of agencies as may be specified in  
the notification, to any of its officers 
3
[* * * *]. 
19. Rules.– The 
4
[
5
[Government]] may, by notification in the official Gazette, make 
rules for carrying into effect the provisions of this Ordinance. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
1Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), published 
in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
2Substituted for th e words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp.  40159-
40160, s. 2. 
3Omitted the words “ , or to a Provincial Government ” by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P.O. No. 1 of 1964), 
published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated May 28, 1964, pp. 251c-251aap, Article 2(2) read with Schedule. 
4Substituted for the words “Central Government” by the Order ibid. 
5Substituted for the words “Provincial Government” by the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) 
(Amendment) Act 2 012 (XIX of 2012), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated February 11, 2012, pp. 40159-
40160, s. 2. 
THE SCHEDULE 
[See section 2(f)] 
(i) Child welfare. 
(ii) Youth welfare. 
(iii) Women’s welfare. 
(iv) Welfare of the physically and mentally handicapped. 
(v) Family planning. 
(vi) Recreational programmes  intended to keep people away f rom anti -social 
activities. 
(vii) Social education, t hat is, education of adults aimed at developing sense of 
civic responsibility. 
(viii) Welfare and rehabilitation of released prisoners. 
(ix) Welfare of juvenile delinquents. 
(x) Welfare of the socially handicapped. 
(xi) Welfare of the beggars and destitutes. 
(xii) Welfare and rehabilitation of patients. 
(xiii) Welfare of the aged and infirm. 
(xiv) Training in social work. 
(xv) Co-ordination of social welfare agencies.