PREVENTION OF ANTI-NATIONAL ACTIVITIES ACT, 1974

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THE PREVENTION OF ANTI-NATIONAL ACTIVITIES ACT, 
1974 
(VII of 1974) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
CHAPTER II 
ANTI-NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 
3. Declaration of an association as anti–national 
4. Reference to Tribunal 
5. Tribunal 
6. Finality, and cancellation, of notification 
7. Power to prohibit the use of funds of an anti-national association 
8. Power to notify places used for purposes of an anti-national association 
9. Procedure to be followed in the disposal of applications under this Act 
CHAPTER III 
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 
10. Penalty for being member of an anti-national association 
11. Penalty for dealing with funds of an anti national association 
12. Penalty for contravention of an order made in respect of a notified place 
13. Punishment for anti-national activities 
CHAPTER IV 
MISCELLANEOUS 
14. Continuance of association 
15. Bar of Jurisdiction etc 
16. Prosecution for offences under this Act 
17. Protection of action taken in good faith 
18. Power to delegate 
19. Act, etc., to override other laws 
20. Power to make rules 
21. Repeal, etc. 
 
TEXT 
THE PREVENTION OF ANTI-NATIONAL ACTIVITIES ACT, 1974 
(VII of 1974) 
[14th February, 1974] 
An 
Act 
to provide for the more effective prevention of certain anti-national and treasonable 
activities 
WHEREAS the freedom of association guaranteed by Article 17 of the 
Constitution is subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of 
morality or public order; 
AND WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the more effective prevention of 
certain anti-national and treasonable activities of individuals and associations and for 
matters connected therewith; 
It is hereby enacted as follows:– 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be called the 
Prevention of Anti-National Activities Act, 1974. 
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or 
context,– 
(a) “anti-national activity”, in relation to an indi vidual or association means 
anything done by such indivi dual or association, whether by committing 
an act or by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible 
representation or otherwise,– 
(i) which is intended, or supports any claim, to bring about, on any 
ground whatsoever, the secession of a part of the territory of 
Pakistan from the Federation, or which incites any individual or 
group of individuals to bring about secession; 
(ii) which disclaims, questions, disrupts or is intended to disrupt the 
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan; 
(iii) which in any manner encourages or incites, or is intended or is 
likely or tends to encourage or incite, the public or any group 
thereof to create, open or continue any regional front or 'mahaz' of 
any kind based on racial, linguistic or similar ideologies and 
considerations with a view to disrupting the unity of the people of 
Pakistan; or 
(iv) which in any manner propagates or advocates that the cit izens of 
Pakistan comprise more than one nationality; 
(b) “association” means any combination or body of individuals; 
(c) “prescribed “ means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 
(d) “secession of a part of the territory of Pakistan from the Federation “ 
includes the assertion of any claim to determine whether such part will 
remain a part of the territory of Pakistan;  
(e) “Tribunal” means the Tribunal constituted under section 5; 
(f) “anti-national association” means any association which has for its 
object, or which indulges in, any anti -national activity, or which 
encourages or aids persons to undertake any anti -national activity, or of 
which members undertake such activity. 
CHAPTER II 
ANTI-NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 
3. Declaration of an association as anti –national.– (1) If the Federal 
Government is satisfied that any association is, or has become, an anti -national 
association, it may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare such association to 
be anti-national. 
(2) Every such notification shall sp ecify the grounds on which it is issued 
and such other particulars as the Federal Government may consider necessary: 
Provided that nothing in this sub -section shall require the federal Government 
to disclose any fact which it considers to be against the public interest to disclose. 
(3) Every such notification shall have effect from the date of its publication in 
the official Gazette. 
(4) Every such notification shall be served on such association in such 
manner as the Federal Government may think fit, and all or any of the following modes 
may be followed in effecting such service, namely:– 
(a) affixing a copy of the notification to some conspicuous part of the office, 
if any, of the association; or 
(b) serving a copy of the notification, where possible, on t he principal office-
bearers, if any of the association; or 
(c)  such other manner as may be prescribed. 
4. Reference to Tribunal .– (1) Where any association has been declared anti -
national by notification issued under section 3, the Federal Govern ment shall, within 
thirty days from the date of the publication of the notification, refer the notification to 
the Tribunal for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for 
declaring the association anti-national. 
(2) On receipt of a re ference under sub -section (1), the Tribunal shall, by 
notice in writing, call upon the association affected to show cause, within thirty days 
from the date of the service of such notice, why the association should not be declared 
anti-national. 
(3) After c onsidering the cause, if any, shown by the as sociation or the 
office-bearers or members thereof, the Tribunal shall hold an inquiry in the manner 
specified in section 9 and, after calling for such further information as it may consider 
necessary from the Federal Government or from any office -bearer or member of the 
association, it shall decide whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the 
association anti -national and make, as expeditiously as possible and in any case 
within a period of six m onths from the date of the issue of the notification under 
section 3, such order as it may deem fit either confirming the declaration made in the 
notification or canceling the declaration. 
(4) The order of the Tribunal made under sub -section (3) shall be p ublished 
in the official Gazette. 
5. Tribunal.– (1) The Federal Government may, by notification in the  official 
Gazette, constitute, as and when necessary, a Tribunal to be known as the Anti -
National Activities Prevention Tribunal consisting of a person who is a Judge of a High 
Court, to be appointed by the Federal Government in consultation with the Chief 
Justice of the High Court of which he is a Judge. 
(2) If, for any reason, a vacancy occurs in the Tribunal, then the Federal 
Government shall appoint ano ther person in ac cordance with the provisions of this 
section to fill the vacancy and the proceedings may be continued before the Tribunal 
from the stage at which the vacancy occurs. 
(3) The Federal Government shall make available to the Tribunal such sta ff 
as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions under this Act. 
(4) Subject to the provisions of section 9, the Tribunal shall have power to 
regulate its own procedure in all matters arising out of the discharge of its functions, 
including the place at which it will hold its sittings. 
(5) The Tribunal shall, for the purpose of making an inquiry under this Act, 
have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil 
Procedure, 1908(Act V of 1908), while trying a suit in respect of the following matters, 
namely:– 
(a) the summoning and enforcing the attendance of any witness and 
examining him on oath; 
(b) the discovery and production of any document or other material object; 
(c) the reception of evidence on affidavit; 
(d)  the requisitioning of any public record from any court or office; 
(e) the issuing of commission for the examination of a witness. 
(6) Any proceeding before the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial 
proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the P akistan Penal Code 
(Act XLV of 1860), and the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for the 
purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXXV of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1898(Act V of 1898). 
6. Finality, and cancellation, of notification .– (1) Subject  to the provisions of 
sub-section (2), a notification issued under section 3 shall, if the declaration made 
therein is confirmed by the Tribunal by an order made under section 4, become final. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (1), the Federal 
Government may, at any time, either on its own motion or on the application of any 
person aggrieved thereby, cancel a notification issued under section 3, whether or not 
the declaration made therein has been confirmed by the Tribunal. 
7. Power to p rohibit the use of funds of an anti -national association .– (1) 
Where any association has been declared anti -national by a notification issued under 
section 3 and the Federal Government is satisfied, after such inquiry as it may think fit, 
that any person has custody of any money, securities or credits which are being used 
or are intended to be used for the purposes of the anti -national association, the 
Federal Government may, by order in writing, prohibit such person from paying, 
delivering, transferring or  otherwise dealing in any manner whatsoever with such 
moneys, securities or credits or with moneys, securities or credits which may come 
into his custody after the making of the order, save in accordance with the written 
orders of the Federal Government; a nd a copy of such order shall be served upon the 
person so prohibited in the manner specified in sub-section (3). 
(2) The Federal Government may endorse a copy of an order made under 
sub-section (1) for investigation to any officer of the Government, and s uch copy shall 
be a warrant where under such officer may enter in or upon any premises of the 
person to whom the order is directed, examine the books of such person, search for 
moneys, securities or credits, and make inquiries from such person or any offic er, 
agent or servant of such person, touching the origin of any dealings in any moneys, 
securities or credits which the investigation officer may suspect are being used or are 
intended to be used for the purposes of the anti-national association. 
(3) A cop y of an order made under sub -section (1) shall be served in the 
manner provided in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898(Act V of 1898), for the 
service of a summon or, where the person to be served is a corporation, company, 
bank or other association, it s hall be served on any secretary, director or other officer 
or person concerned with the management thereof, or by leaving it or sending it by 
post addressed to the corporation, company, bank or other association at its 
registered office, or where there is no registered office, at the place where it carries on 
business. 
(4) Any person aggrieved by an order made under sub -section (1) may, 
within ninety days from the date of the service of such order, make an application to 
the District Judge within the local limits of whose jurisdiction such person voluntarily 
resides or carries on business or personally works for gain, to establish that the 
moneys, securities or credits to which the order relates are not being used, or are not 
intended to be used, for the pur poses of the anti -national association and the District 
Judge shall decide the question. 
(5) Except so far as is necessary for the purposes of any proceedings under 
this section, no information obtained in the course of any investigation made under 
sub-section (2) shall be divulged by any person without the consent of the Federal 
Government. 
(6) In this section, “security “includes a document whereby any person 
acknowledges that he is under a legal liability to pay money, or where under any 
person obtains a legal right to the payment of money. 
8. Power to notify places used for purposes of an anti-national association.– 
(1) Where an association has been declared anti -national by a notification issued 
under section 3, the Federal Government may, by notificati on in the official Gazette 
notify any place which in its opinion is used for the purposes of such association, here-
inafter referred to as the notified place. 
Explanation.– For the purposes of this sub -section, “place includes a house or 
building, or part thereof, and a tent or vessel”. 
(2) On the issue of a notification under sub -section (1) in respect of any 
place, the District Magistrate within the local limits of whose jurisdiction such notified 
place is situate, or any officer not below the rank of a M agistrate of the first class 
authorised by him in writing in this behalf, shall make, in the presence of two 
respectable witnesses, a list of all movable properties found in such place. 
(3) If, in the opinion of the District Magistrate, any articles mentio ned in the 
list are, or may be used for the purposes of the anti-national association, he may make 
an order prohibiting any person from using the articles have in accordance with the 
written orders of the District Magistrate. 
(4) The District Magistrate ma y thereupon make an order that no person 
who, at the date of the notification, was not residing in the notified place shall, without 
the permission of the District Magistrate, enter, or be on or in, the notified place: 
Provided that no such order shall be made in respect of any person who is a 
near relative of, or has any professional business with, any person who was residing 
in the notified place at the date of the notification. 
(5) Where in pursuance of sub-section (4) any person is granted permission 
to enter, or to be on or in, the notified place, that person shall, while acting under such 
permission, comply with such orders for regulating his conduct as may be given by the 
District Magistrate. 
(6) Any police officer, not below the rank of a sub -inspector, or any other 
person authorised in this behalf by the Federal Government may search any person 
entering, or seeking to enter or being on or in, the notified place and may detain any 
such person for the purpose of searching him: 
Provided that no female s hall be searched in pursuance of this sub -section 
except by a female. 
(7) If any person is in the notified place in contravention of an order made 
under sub-section (4), then, without prejudice to any other proceedings which may be 
taken against him, he may be removed therefrom by any police officer or by any other 
person authorised in this behalf by the Federal Government. 
(8) Any person aggrieved by a notification issued in respect of a place under 
sub-section (1) or by an order made under sub -section (3 ) or sub -section (4) may, 
within thirty days from the date of the notification or order, as the case may be, make 
an application to the District Judge within the local limits of whose jurisdiction such 
notified place is situate– 
(a) for a declaration that the place has not been used for the purpose of the 
anti-national association; or 
(b) for setting aside the order made under sub-section (3) or sub-section (4), 
and on receipt of the application the District Judge shall, after giving the 
parties an opportunity of being heard, decide the question. 
9. Procedure to be followed in the disposal of applications under this Act .– 
Subject to any rules that may be made under this Act, the procedure to be followed by 
the Tribunal in holding any inquiry under sub -section (3) of section 4 or by the District 
Judge in disposing of any application under sub-section (4) of section 7 or sub-section 
(8) of section 8 shall, so far as may be, be the procedure laid down in the Code of Civil 
Procedure, 1908(Act V of 1908), for the investigation of claims and the decision of the 
Tribunal or the District Judge, as the case may be, shall be final. 
CHAPTER III 
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 
10. Penalty for being member of an anti -national association.– Whoever is and 
continues to be a member of  an associ ation declared anti -national by a notification 
issued under section 3 or takes part in meetings of any such association, or 
contributes to, or receives or solicits any contribution for the purpose of, any such 
association or in any way assists t he operations of any such association, shall be 
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, and shall 
also be liable to fine. 
11. Penalty for dealing with funds of an anti -national association .– If any 
person on whom an order has  been served under sub -section (1) of section 7 in 
respect of any moneys, securities or credits pays, delivers, transfers or otherwise 
deals in any manner whatsoever with such money, securities or credits in con -
travention of the order, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may 
extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine, and, notwithstanding anything 
contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898(Act V of 1898), the court trying 
such contravention may also impose on such person an additional fine to recover from 
him the amount of the moneys or credits, or the market value of the securities, in 
respect of which the order has been contravened or such part thereof as the court 
may deem fit. 
12. Penalty for contravention of an order made in respect of a notified place.– 
(1) Whoever knowingly and willfully is in, or effects or attempts to effect entry into, a 
notified place in contravention of an order made under sub -section (4) of section 8 in 
respect thereof shall be punishabl e with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 
one year, and shall also be liable to fine. 
(2) Whoever uses any article in contravention of an order in respect thereof 
made under sub -section (3) of section 8 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a 
term which may extend to one year, and shall also be liable to fine. 
13. Punishment for anti-national activities.– (1) Whoever– 
(a) takes part in or commits, or  
(b) advocates or abets, or attempts to advocate or abet, the commission of, 
any anti -national activity, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a 
term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. 
(2) Whoever, in any way, assists any anti-national activity of any association 
declared anti -national under section 3, shall be pu nishable with imprisonment for a 
term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine. 
CHAPTER IV 
MISCELLANEOUS 
14. Continuance of association .– An association shall not be deemed to have 
ceased to exist by reason only of any formal act o f its dissolution or change of name 
but shall be deemed to continue so long as any actual combination for the purposes of 
such association continues between any members thereof. 
15. Bar of Jurisdiction etc.– (1) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this  Act, 
no order made or proceeding taken under section 3, section 7 or section 8 by the 
Federal Government or the District Magistrate or any officer authorised in this behalf 
by the Federal Government or the District Magistrate shall be called in question i n any 
court, and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect of 
any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this 
Act. 
(2) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Tribunal may, within ninet y 
days from the date of such decision, prefer an appeal to the Supreme Court. 
(3) Any person aggrieved by a decision of a District Judge may, within 
ninety days from the date of such decision, prefer an appeal to the High Court. 
16. Prosecution for offences under this Act .– No court shall take cognizance of 
any offence punishable under this Act except with the previous sanction of the Federal 
Government or a Provincial Government or an officer authorised by either 
Government in this behalf. 
17. Protection o f action taken in good faith .– (1) No suit or other legal 
proceeding shall lie against the Government in respect of any loss or damage caused 
or likely to be caused by anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in 
pursuance of this Act or any rules or orders made thereunder. 
(2) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the 
District Magistrate or any officer authorised in this behalf by the Government or the 
District Magistrate in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be 
done in pursuance of this Act or any rules or orders made there-under. 
18. Power to delegate .– The Federal Government may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, direct that all or any of its powers under section 7 or section  8 shall, in 
such circumstances and under such con ditions, if any, as may be specified in the 
notification, be exercisable also by any Provincial Government and the Provincial 
Government may, with the previous approval of the Federal Government, by order in 
writing direct that any power which has been so directed to be exercised by it shall, in 
such circum stances and under such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the 
direction, be exercisable by any person subordinate to the Provincial Government, not 
being a person below the rank of Sub-divisional Magistrate, as may be so specified. 
19. Act, etc., to override other laws .– The provisions of this Act or any rule or 
order made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything incon sistent 
therewith contained in any enactment other than this Act or any instrument having 
effect by virtue of any enactment other than this Act. 
20. Power to make rules.– (1) The Federal Government may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 
power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:– 
(a) the service of notices or orders issued or made under this Act and the 
manner in which such notices or orders may be served, where the 
person to be served is a corporation, company, bank or other 
association; 
(b) the procedure to be followed by the Tribunal or a District Judge in 
holding any inquiry or disposing of any application under this Act. 
21. Repeal, etc .– (1) In the Prevention of Anti -National Activities Ordinance, 
1973(XXIX of 1973), section 21 shall be omitted and shall be deemed always to have 
been omitted and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908(XIV of 1908), shall stand 
revived and shall have effect and shall be deemed always to have had effect as if it 
had never been repealed by the said Ordinance. 
(2) The Prevention of Anti -National Activities Ordinance, 1973(XXIX of 
1973), is hereby repealed.