PUNJAB AUTISM SCHOOL AND RESOURCE CENTRE ACT 2025

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PUNJAB AUTISM SCHOOL AND RESOURCE CENTRE ACT 
2025  
(LXV of 2025) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Establishment of the Centre 
4. Constitution of the Board 
5. Business of the Board 
6. Powers and functions of the Board 
7. Principal 
8. Powers and duties of the Principal 
9. Selection Committee and its functions 
10. Members to act pro bono 
11. Fund 
12. Maintenance of accounts 
13. Budget 
14. Performance report of the Centre 
15. Audit 
16. Rules 
17. Regulations 
18. Public servants 
19. Immunity 
20. Removal of difficulties
TEXT 
1
PUNJAB AUTISM SCHOOL AND RESOURCE CENTRE ACT 2025  
(LXV of 2025) 
           [05 August 2025] 
An 
Act 
to provide for establishment of the Autism School and Resource Centre in the 
Punjab. 
It is necessary to make provisions for  establishment of the Autism School and 
Resource Centre in the Punjab  to ensure provision of education  and support for 
children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and to promote their inclusion, well -being, 
and development and to provide  for the matters connected therewith and ancillary 
thereto.  
It is hereby enacted as follows: 
1. Short title, extent and commencement.– (1) The Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre 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 Autism School and Resource Centre Act 2025; 
(b) “Autism Spectrum Disorder” means a range of neurodevelopmental 
conditions characterized by challenges in social interaction, 
communication and behaviour; 
(c) “Board” means the Board of Governors of the Centre; 
(d) “Centre” means the 2[Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre  for 
Autism] established under the Act; 
(e) “Committee” means the Committee, other than Selection Committee, 
constituted by the Board under the Act; 
(f) “Department” means Special Education Department of the Government; 
(g) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 
(h) “Member” means a Member of the Board; 
(i) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or regulations made or framed 
under the Act; 
(j)  “Principal” means the Principal of the Centre; 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 28 July 2025; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab 
on 05 August 2025; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 05 August 2025, pp. 643-649. 
2Substituted for the words "Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre"  by the Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre 
(Amendment) Act 2025 (C of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 18 December 2025, pp. 3267-3268 
s.2. 
 
 
(k) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act; 
(l) “rules” means the rules made under the Act; and 
(m) “Selection Committee” means the Selection Committee constituted 
under the Act.  
3. Establishment of the Centre.– (1) The Government shall, by notification in 
the official Gazette, establish a Centre to be known as the  3[Maryam Nawaz School 
and Resource Centre for Autism] for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
(2) The Centre shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and 
a common seal with power to acquire, hold, lease, sell or otherwise transfer property, 
both movable and immovable , which is  vested in it for  carrying out the  purposes of 
the Act and may by the said name sue or be sued.  
(3) The main campus of the Centre shall be at Lahore and the  
Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, establish  such sub -
campuses of the Center at such places as it may deem necessary.  
4. Constitution of the Board.– (1) The management, administration and control 
of the Centre shall vest in the Board and all functions of the Centre shall be 
performed by the Board.  
(2) The Board shall consist of the following: 
(a) Chief Minister.  Chairperson 
(b) Chief Secretary.  Vice Chairperson/ 
Member 
(c) Secretary to the Government, Special 
Education Department or his 
representative not below the rank of 
Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(d) Secretary to the Government, Finance 
Department or his representative not 
below the rank of Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(e) Secretary to the Government, Specialized 
Healthcare and Medical Education 
Department or his representative not 
below the rank of Additional Secretary.   
Member 
(f) Secretary to the Government, Primary 
and Secondary Healthcare Department or 
his representative not below the rank of 
Additional Secretary.  
Member 
(g) Secretary to the Government, Higher 
Education Department or his 
representative not below the rank of 
Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(h) Secretary to the Government, School 
Education Department or his 
Member 
                                                           
3Substituted for the words "Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre" by the Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre 
(Amendment) Act 2025 (C of 2025), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 18 December 2025, pp. 3267-3268 
s.3.  
 
 
representative not below the rank of 
Additional Secretary. 
(i) Director General, Special Education, 
Punjab. 
Member 
(j) three experts , including at least one 
woman, in the field of autism nominated 
by the Government. 
Members 
(k) two parents , including at least one 
woman, of the autistic students studying 
in the Centre nominated by the Principal. 
Members 
(l) two members , including at least one 
woman, nominated by the Chairperson 
with experience in the  field of education, 
academia or public service related to  
Autism Spectrum Disorder.   
Members 
(m) the Principal. Member/ Secretary 
(3) The Chairperson may delegate all or any of the functions to the Vice 
Chairperson for performance under the Act.  
(4) The Members at clauses (j), (k) and (l) of sub -section (1) shall be 
nominated for a period of three years who shall serve during the pleasure of the 
nominating authority and such Members may resign from his office before the expiry 
of tenure by submitting their resignation to the nominating authority. 
5. Business of the Board .– (1) The Board shall meet at least thrice a year  at 
such time and place as the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson may, on his own motion 
or on the recommendation of the Principal require, and shall observe such procedure 
with regard to transaction of its business  as may be prescribed by the regulations 
and, until so prescribed, as the Board may determine. 
(2) The meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairperson; 
or in his absence, by the Vice Chairperson and both the Chairperson and Vice 
Chairperson are not available then by a Member so elected by the Members present.  
(3) One-third of the total Members of the Board or five Members, 
whichever is higher, shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Board. 
(4) The decisions of the Board shall be taken by majority of its members 
present and voting and, in the event of equality of votes, the Chairperson or, in his 
absence, Vice Chairperson shall have a casting vote. 
(5) The Principal shall be the Secretary of the Board, and other 
Committees constituted by the Board shall appoint their own secretaries, and it shall 
be the duty of the Secretary to keep and record the proceedings of a meeting in a 
minute-book: 
Provided that if the post of the Principal is vacant for any reason, the Board 
shall nominate any ex-officio member of the Board to act as Secretary of the Board. 
(6) No act, decision, order or proceedings of the Board shall be invalid by 
reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board.  
6. Powers and functions of the Board .– (1). Unless otherwise provided in th e 
Act, the Board shall have powers to: 
 
 
(a) create posts of teachers, allied professionals  and other staff of the 
Centre for efficient management and administration of the Centre; 
(b) appoint such officers, staff or other employees,  on its own or through 
its Principal or Committee,  as may be considered necessary for the 
efficient performance of functions of the Centre, in such manner and on 
such terms and conditions as may be prescribed and, until so 
prescribed, as may be determined by the Government; 
(c) subject to the suitability as p rescribed, transfer, lend or borrow any of 
its employees or employee of any other body, agency or department of 
the Government, on deputation basis , as per the policy of the 
Government; 
(d) provide mechanism, through regulations,  for efficiency, discipline and 
accountability of its employees; 
(e) oversee, spearhead and monitor the implementation of the guidelines 
issued by the Board under the Act; 
(f) provide instructions to the Centre as it may deem fit and inspect the 
Centre; 
(g) formulate Key Performance Indicators  for annual evaluations of the 
employees of the Centre and to call for the performance report of the 
employees of the Centre in such manner as may be prescribed; 
(h) identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement; 
(i) conduct pre-service and in -service training of teachers , allied 
professionals and other employees of the Centre; 
(j) provide support in terms of research and training to autis m units 
functioning in schools under the Department; 
(k) carry out research and develop education  and therapeutic s ervices for 
children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; 
(l) hold, control, administer, acquire and dispose of property and funds of 
the Centre and enter into contracts for  carrying out the purposes of the 
Act; 
(m) govern and regulate finance, account s and investments of the Centre, 
and for that purpose appoint such agents and auditors as may be 
deemed fit; 
(n) determine the form, custody and use of the common seal of the Centre; 
(o) collaborate with the Government, national and international 
organizations and educational institutions for the purposes of the Act; 
(p) devise and implement proper system of checks and balances within the 
Centre; 
(q) frame regulations for the terms and conditions of service of the 
Principal, members of teaching and allied professionals, administrative 
staff of the Centre and of the officers and employees of the Board; 
(r) consider and approve the annual budget of the Centre; 
 
 
(s) constitute Selection Committee and such other committees  as may be 
deemed necessary for carrying out the purposes of th e Act, and such 
committees shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as 
may be assigned to them by the Board  and the  composition of the 
committees shall be such as the Board may determine; 
(t) receive and manage any property transferred, grants, beq uests, trusts, 
gifts, donations, endowments and other contributions made to the 
Centre, and to invest any fund representing such property, grants, 
bequests, trusts, gifts, donations, endowments or contributions, and to 
convert one kind of property into ano ther in such manner as it may 
deem fit; 
(u) coordinate with schools and public or private organizations or 
institutions in such manner and for such purposes as may be 
prescribed; 
(v) promote public education and awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder 
issues through  mass media and other means including seminars and 
workshops; 
(w) print or publish any research conducted in the field of autism and 
education and rehabilitation of autistic students; and 
(x) exercise such powers and perform such functions  ancillary to the 
aforementioned or which is essential for performance of its functions. 
(2) In case of an emergency, the Chairperson may exercise all powers of 
the Board: 
provided that any action or decision pursuant to such exercise has to be laid  
before the Board for ratification, in its coming meeting. 
(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in th e Act, the 
Board may delegate any of its powers, duties or functions to the Selection 
Committee and the Principal or to any other Committee, on such terms and 
conditions as may be determined by the Board, except the following powers: 
(a) approval of regulations; 
(b) approval of annual budget of the Centre; 
(c) approval of investment or purchase of immovable propert y by the 
Centre; 
(d) transfer of immovable property of the Centre; 
(e) determine the terms and conditions of service of employees; and 
(f) constitute a committee of the Board, or fill any vacancy in a committee. 
(4) The Board may call for the record of any decision taken by the 
Principal or by any other member of the teaching , allied professional  or 
administrative staff of the Centre within one year of the decision, to evaluate 
correctness, legality or propriety of such decision, and to pass such directions and 
orders thereon as may be deemed appropriate by the Board. 
7. Principal.– (1) The Board shall appoint the Principal on the recommendation of 
the Selection Committee in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may 
 
 
be prescribed  but such terms and conditions shall not be varied during his term in 
office. 
(2) The Principal shall be a qualified expert in one or more disciplines of 
autism in accordance with the prescribed standards. 
(3) The Principal shall hold office for a term of five years but the Board 
may, in special circumstances, extend the term of office of the Principal for such 
period as it may determine. 
(4) The Principal may tender his resignation to the Board and shall cease to 
hold office upon acceptance of his resignation. 
(5) If the  office of the Principal is vacant or the Principal is absent or is 
unable to perform the functions of the Principal owing to any cause, the Board shall 
make temporary arrangements for the performance of the duties of the Principal. 
8. Powers and duties of the Principal.– (1) The Principal shall be the Chief 
Executive of the Centre and shall be responsible to the Board for control, 
management and administration of the Centre. 
(2) The Principal shall be responsible for preparing the annual budget and 
submitting the same  to the Board for consideration and approval before 
commencement of a financial year. 
(3) The Principal shall have authority to sanction all expenditure as 
provided in the sanctioned budget. 
(4) The Principal shall operate  the accounts of the Board and the Centre, 
and submit the quarterly statement of accounts thereof to the Board for 
consideration. 
(5) The Principal may, in an emergency, take an action which is not 
otherwise in the competence of the Principal but is in the competence of the Board. 
(6) The Principal shall, within seven days of taking an action under sub -
section (6), submit a report to the Chairperson of the Board, and the Board shall, in 
its immediate next meeting, pass such orders on the action taken by the Princip al as 
it may deem appropriate. 
(7) Subject to the general supervision and control of the Board, the 
Principal may: 
(a) direct any member of the teaching staff, allied  professionals and 
administrative staff, officers or  other employees of the Centre to take 
up such  assignments in connection with the teaching,  examination, 
administration and such other activities  in relation to the Centre as he 
may deem necessary; 
(b) sanction, by re -appropriation, an amount for an  unforeseen item not 
provided for in the annual budget of the Centre; and 
(c) exercise such other powers as may be prescribed or as may be 
assigned to him by the Board from time to time. 
(8) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in th e Act, the 
Principal may delegate any of his powers, duties or functions to any member of the 
 
 
teaching, allied professional  or administrative staff of the Centre on such terms and 
conditions as he may deem fit. 
9. Selection Committee and its functions  .– (1) The Board shall constitute a 
Selection Committee, consisting of not less than three members,  who, in the opinion 
of the Board, possess sound moral and financial integrity, enjoy an unquestioned 
and non -controversial reputation and do not have any conflict of interest with the 
aims and objects of the Centre,  for such duration as may be determined by the 
Board. 
(2) The Board shall nominate one of the member of the Selection 
Committee as Convener of the Selection Committee. 
(3) The Board may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, dissolve a 
Selection Committee and appoint a new Selection Committee within three months of 
the dissolution of the Selection Committee.  
(4) The Selection Committee shall invite applications for selection o f 
suitable candidate for the post of Principal of the Centre and shall, after interviewing 
eligible candidates, forward its recommendations to the Board containing names of 
three suitable candidates for appointment of the Principal of the Centre in such 
manner as may be prescribed. 
(5) The Selection Committee may co -opt any  professional expert for 
carrying out the purposes of sub-section (4). 
(6) The provisions of section 5 shall apply mutatis mutandis to meetings of 
the Selection Committee and any other committee constituted by the Board. 
10. Members to act pro bono.– A member of a Selection Committee shall act 
pro bono and shall not receive any remuneration for any service rendered as the 
member of the Selection Committee. 
11. Fund.– (1) There shall be a Fund  to be known as the  Autism School and 
Resource Centre Fund which shall vest in and be managed, administered and 
controlled by the Board and  in which shall be credited all moneys received by the 
Centre and the Board. 
(2) The Fund shall be kept in such custody and shall be utilized and 
regulated in such manner as may be prescribed. 
(3) The Fund shall consist of: 
(a) grants-in-aid made by the Government or loans advanced  by the 
Government or the Federal Government; 
(b) loans raised by the Board with the special or general  sanction of the 
Government; 
(c) aid and assistance, grants, advances, donations and other non-
obligatory funds received from  any person, body or entity, national or 
international agency; 
(d) loans and advances obtained from the financial institutions with the 
approval of the Government; and 
(e) any other income received from any other source. 
 
 
(4) The Board  may make any expenditure out of the Funds or grants 
received by it or the Centre for any purpose under the Act. 
(5) The Centre and Board may receive, own and maintain a property 
transferred to it by the Government, any person, body or organization. 
(6) The Fund shall be maintained in such form and  manner as may be 
prescribed. 
12. Maintenance of accounts .– The Centre shall maintain proper records 
relating to its financial affairs, including its income and expenditures and its assets 
and liabilities, in such form and manner as may be prescribed. 
13. Budget.– The Centre shall prepare, in such manner and at such time as may 
be prescribed, a budget in respect of the next ensuing financial year showing the 
estimated receipts and expenditure of the Centre and shall submit the budget to the 
Board for consideration and approval and shall give effect to any modifications made 
therein by the Board. 
14. Performance report of the Centre .– As soon as may be after the close of 
every financial year but not later than the last day of September next following, the 
Board shall submit to Government a report on the conduct of the affairs of the Centre 
for that year. 
15. Audit.– (1) The Board shall oversee the financial management of the Centre. 
(2) The accounts of the Centre shall be audited annually by the Auditor 
General of Pakistan and such qualified auditor or audit agency, appointed with 
approval of the Board as may be prescribed. 
(3) Copies of the audit report shall be sent to the Board. 
(4) The Board shall carry out any directive issued by the Government for 
rectification of audit objections. 
(5) Annual accounts of the Centre shall be audited by an external Auditor 
duly appointed by the Board on the close of every financial year, and the audited 
accounts shall be presented by the Principal to the Board for approval. 
(6) The Board may get conducted a third -party performance evaluation in 
respect of the Centre and may publish the result of the evaluation. 
16. Rules.– Subject to the provisions of th e Act, t he Government may , by 
notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
17. Regulations.– (1) Subject to the provisions of th e Act and the rules, the 
Board may, by notification in the official Gazette,  frame regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act. 
(2) The Government may direct the Board to modify or omit any regulation 
which, in its opinion, is repugnant to the provisions of the Act or  rules, or which is 
otherwise against public policy, and the Board shall comply with such direction. 
(3) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 
power, such regulations, subject to the provisions of the Act, may provide for: 
(a) the notice on which an ordinary or special meeting may be convened; 
 
 
(b) the time and place at which meetings of the Board may be held; 
(c) the frequency of meetings of the Board and the procedure that shall be 
followed at such meetings; 
(d) the manner in which the minutes shall be circulated and confirmed; 
(e) the recruitment, tenure of office, terms and conditions of service of the 
Principal, teaching and allied professionals, officers and employees 
appointed by the Board; 
(f) the delegation of administrative and financial powers to the Committee 
or other officers and employees of the Board; 
(g) the forms and registers for keeping the accounts; 
(h) the manner in which the Funds shall be disbursed; 
(i) the manner in which and the time at whi ch the annual financial 
statement shall be submitted to the Government for approval; 
(j) the returns, statements, estimates, statistics, information or reports 
which may be submitted to the Government; 
(k) the manner in which the accounts of the Board shall be audited; 
(l) the custody in which the Fund shall be kept; and 
(m) any other matter required under any of the provisions of th e Act to be 
prescribed. 
18. Public servants .– The Principal, teaching and allied professional and other 
employees appointed by the Board, Principal and Selection Committee shall be 
deemed to be public servant within the meanings of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal 
Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860). 
19. Immunity.– No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against 
the Board, its Member or committees constituted by the Board, the Principal, and the 
officers of the Centre or any employee of the Board for the acts done, orders passed 
and anything done in good faith under the Act, rules or regulations. 
20. Removal of difficulties .– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any 
provision of the Act, the Government may give such directions, not inconsistent with 
the Act, as it may consider necessary for the removal of such difficulty.