PUNJAB OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS COMMISSION ACT 2021

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THE PUNJAB OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS COMMISSION  
ACT 2021 
 (XVI of 2021)  
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
 
2. Definitions 
 
3. Commission 
 
4. Functions of the Commission 
 
5. Advisory Council 
 
6. Commissioner 
 
7. Functions of the Commissioner 
 
8. Focal Persons 
 
9. Committees 
 
10. Functions of the Committees 
 
11. Additional Commissioner 
 
12. Employees of the Commission 
 
13. Arbitration 
 
14. Punishment for false information by the complainant 
 
15. Implementation of recommendations  
 
16. Representation 
 
17. Bar of jurisdiction 
 
18. Overriding effect 
 
19. Removal of difficulties 
 
20. Indemnity 
 
21. Directions of the Government 
 
 
 
22. Rules 
 
23. Repeal and savings 
 
24. Repeal  
TEXT 
 
1
THE PUNJAB OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS COMMISSION ACT 2021 
  (XVI of 2021) 
    [30th June 2021] 
 
 
An 
Act 
to provide for reconstitution of the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission. 
It is necessary to reconstitute the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission to 
receive and redress the grievances of  Overseas Pakistanis relating to Government 
Agencies; refer complaints and suggestions of Overseas Pakistanis to the concerned 
offices; and, to deal with ancillary matters. 
Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows:  
1. Short title, ext ent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission Act 2021. 
(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.– In this Act: 
(a) “Advisory Council” means the Advisory Counci l constituted under this 
Act; 
(b) “Commission” means the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission; 
(c) “Commissioner” means the Overseas Pakistanis Commissioner; 
(d) “Committee” means a District Overseas Pakistani Committee or a 
Tehsil Overseas Pakistani Committee, as the case may be, constituted 
under this Act; 
(e) "Complaint" includes any grievance lodged with the Commission or the 
Commissioner, by an Overseas Pakistani, or a complaint taken up by 
the Commission or Commissioner on its own motion regarding 
grievance of an Overseas Pakistani; 
(f) “district” means a district notified under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 
1967 (XVII of 1967); 
(g) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 
(h) “Government Agency” means a department, attached department or 
special institu tion of the Government, a local government, or a body 
corporate owned or controlled by the Government or a local 
government; 
                                                      
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 04 June 2021; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 23 
June 2021; and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 30th June 2021, pp.10019-10024. 
 
 
(i) "inquiry" means an inquiry into any complaint conducted by the 
Commission or the Commissioner or the Committee; 
(j) “Ombudsman” means the Ombudsman appointed under section 3 of 
the Punjab Office of the Ombudsman Act 1997 (X of 1997); 
(k) “Overseas Pakistani” means a person of Pakistani origin who is either 
permanently or temporarily settled outside Pakistan: 
(i) for employment; or 
(ii) for carrying on a business or vocation; or 
(iii) for any other purpose with intention to stay outside Pakistan for 
an unspecified period; 
(l) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules; and  
(m) "rules" means the rules made under this Act. 
3. Commission.– (1) The Government, through notification in the official 
Gazette, shall reconstitute the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission constituted 
under the Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission Act 2014 (XX of 2014). 
(2) The Commission shall consist of the Chief Minister who  shall be its 
Chairperson; an Overseas Pakistani of noted repute nominated by the Chairperson 
as Vice Chairperson on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the 
Government; and, the following members: 
(a) Chief Secretary to the Government; (member) 
(b) Senior Member, Board of Revenue of the Government; 
(member) 
(c) Chairman, Planning and Development Board of the 
Government; (member) 
(d) Secretary to the Government, Home Department; (member) 
(e) Provincial Police Officer, Punjab; (member) 
(f) Chairman, Punjab Board of Investment and Trade; (member) 
(g) Chairman, Punjab Information Technology Board; (member) 
(h) Advocate General, Punjab; (member) 
(i) Prosecutor General, Punjab; (member)  
(j) nine members of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, 
including at least two female members of the  Assembly, to be 
nominated by the Speaker; 
(k) nine members, including at least two female members from the 
private sector, to be nominated by the Chairperson, having 
experience in issues relating to Overseas Pakistanis; and 
(l) Commissioner; (member/Secretary). 
(3) The non-official members of the Commission shall serve for a term of 
three years; however, they shall hold office during the pleasure of the Chairperson. 
(4) If the seat of a non -official member becomes vacant during the term of 
his office, vacancy may be filled by the Chairperson and the member so appointed 
shall hold office for the residue of such term or till the pleasure of the Chairperson. 
(5) One third of the total members including the Chairperson or Vice 
Chairperson shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Commission. 
 
 
(6) An ex-officio member may be represented in the meeting by an officer 
of the department or organization not below the rank of an Additional Secretary. 
(7) The Commission shall meet at such time and place and shall observe 
such procedure in regard to transaction of business at its meetings as may be 
prescribed and until so prescribed as may be directed by the Chairperson. 
4. Functions of the Commission.– (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and 
the rules, the Commission may exercise such powers and perform such functions as 
may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) The Commission shall: 
(a) review annual reports about the working of the Commission; 
(b) review performance of the Commissioner and pa ss appropriate 
orders; 
(c) liaise between the Commissioner and a Government Agency; 
(d) develop criteria for constitution of Advisory Council; 
(e) nominate members of the Advisory Council;  
(f) nominate members of the Committees; 
(g) notify such number of Committees as may be deemed appropriate 
by the Government; and 
(h) with the consent of the Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, Lahore 
notify one or more Courts as Special Courts for Overseas 
Pakistanis for speedy trial of the cases of Overseas Pakistanis. 
(3) The Commission may, by  notification, delegate all or any of its powers 
to the Vice Chairperson or the Commissioner on such conditions as may be 
determined by the Commission to ensure smooth functioning of the Commission. 
5. Advisory Council.– (1) The Advisory Council shall con sist of such number of 
Overseas Pakistanis from different countries as may be determined by the 
Commission, for taking appropriate action under this Act. 
 (2) The Advisory Council shall make recommendations on redressal of 
grievances of Overseas Pakistanis  and forward such recommendations to the 
Commissioner. 
6. Commissioner.– The Government shall appoint a Commissioner from the 
Pakistan Administrative Service or the Provincial Management Service of the 
Government having basic pay scale 20 or above. 
7. Functions of the Commissioner.– (1) The Commissioner shall: 
(a) transmit a complaint received from an Overseas Pakistani to the 
concerned Government Agency or the Committee for redressal; 
(b) give suggestions for policy changes, improvements in the system to the 
Government or the Government of Pakistan on the basis of 
recommendations of the Advisory Council or the Overseas Pakistanis; 
 
 
(c) be authorized to refer any complaint of an Overseas Pakistani to the 
Ombudsman, notwithstanding anything contained in the Punjab Office 
of the Ombudsman Act, 1997 (X of 1997), for necessary action; 
(d) recommend disciplinary action to the competent authority against a 
public servant who does not send reply to the Commissioner within 
thirty days of the receipt of reference from the Commissioner; 
(e) recommend initiation of anti -corruption proceedings against a public 
servant where, on the basis of preliminary findings, a prima facie case 
for criminal action under the relevant law is made out in relation to 
protection of rights of an Overseas Pakistani; 
(f) refer the proposals of Overseas Pakistanis relating to investment to the 
Punjab Board of Investment and Trade and ensure early processing of 
such proposals; 
(g) prepare an annual report about his performance for consideration and 
appropriate action by the Commission; 
(h) hold consultative conventions or workshops involving Overseas 
Pakistanis; 
(i) deal with the recommendations received from the Advisory Council on 
priority basis; and 
(j) perform any other function ancillary to any of the above functions or as 
may be prescribed.  
(2) If the Commissioner has referred any complaint under subsection (1) to 
a Government Agency, the Government Agency shall, within a period not exceeding 
thirty days, send its response to the Commissioner. 
8. Focal Persons .– Every Government Agency shall appoint one of its senior 
officers or employees as focal persons to liaise with the office of the Commissioner 
for monitoring and disposal of matters relating to the Overseas Pakistanis. 
9. Committees.– (1) There shall be as many Distri ct Overseas Pakistanis 
Committees or Tehsil Overseas Pakistanis Committees in each district or tehsil as 
may be deemed appropriate by the Chairperson and notified in the Official gazette, 
consisting of: 
(a) the Chairman of the Committee to be nominated by the 
Chairperson;  
(b) Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner, as the case 
may be, as Vice Chairman; 
(c) two persons as non -official members to be nominated by the 
Chairperson for a term of three years, who shall hold office till 
the pleasure of the Chairperson; 
(d) District Police Officer or the head of Police at tehsil, as the case 
may be, (member); and 
(e) Additional District Collector Revenue as secretary/member of 
the Committee. 
 
 
(2) A District Committee may co -opt any other officer of the Government 
posted in the district as a member of the Committee. 
(3) Four members including the Chairman or the Vice Chairman shall 
constitute the quorum for a meeting of the Committee. 
(4) The Committee shall meet at such time and place and shall observe 
such procedure in regard to transa ction of business at its meetings as may be 
prescribed and until so prescribed as may be directed by the Commission. 
10. Functions of the Committees.- (1) A Committee shall:  
(a) scrutinize, process, transmit or make recommendations on the 
complaints of the Overseas Pakistanis in the prescribed manner;  
(b) hold inquiries into the complaints to ascertain the facts thereof;  
(c) inspect the record of any Government Agency within their 
jurisdiction;  
(d) summon and enforce the attendance of any person within their 
jurisdiction; 
(e) require the production of any document and record the 
statement;  
(f) authorize any officer of the Committee for the examination of 
document and record statement;  
(g) recommend to any Government Agency or a public servant to 
hold an inquiry into a complaint and furnish report to the 
Committee;  
(h) make recommendations in accordance with the relevant laws 
and the rules for implementation by the concerned Government 
agencies; and 
(i) send progress reports and suggestions for improvement in the 
system to the Commissioner. 
(2) The Deputy Commissioner may exercise all or any of the powers and 
perform functions as hereinafter given to the Committee under this Act till the time 
such Committee are notified. 
11. Additional Commissioner.– (1) The Government shall appoint an Additional 
Commissioner of the Commission on such terms and conditions and to perform such 
functions and exercise such powers as may be prescribed and until so prescribed as 
may be determined by the Government. 
(2) The Additional Commissioner shall be from the Pakistan Administrative 
Service or the Provincial Management Service of the Government having basic pay 
scale 20 or above. 
12. Employees of the Commission .– The Commission may employ such 
number of officers, officials, advisors, consultants, auditors and other employees as 
may be necessary for the efficient performance of its functions through hiring, initial 
recruitment, transfer, contract, daily wages or on  deputation in such manner and on 
 
 
such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, or until so prescribed, as may be 
determined by the Government. 
13. Arbitration.– (1) On the application of a party or on his own motion but with 
the consent of the other pa rties, the Commissioner may resolve a 
complaint/grievance through arbitration between the parties or appoint a team of two 
arbitrators, one each from amongst the persons nominated by the parties. 
(2) The proceedings under this section shall be conducted in acc ordance 
with the provisions of the Arbitration Act, 1940 (X of 1940). 
14. Punishment for false information by the complainant .– (1) If a person 
lodges a complaint based on fake or forged information or tempered documents, he 
shall be liable to simple impr isonment which may extend to six months or fine which 
may extend to one million rupees or both. 
(2) The offence under this section shall be cognizable by a Court of 
Magistrate 1 st class on a complaint in writing by the Commissioner or a person 
nominated by him.  
(3) The Court shall conduct the summary trial of an offence under this Act 
in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1898 (V of 1898) relating to the summary trials. 
 
15. Implementation of recommendations .– (1) All Government Agencies shall 
implement the recommendations of the Commission, the Commissioner and any of 
the Committees, within thirty days of the receipt of such recommendations. 
(2) In case of defiance of the recommendations, the Commission, the 
Commissioner or a Committee shall recommend disciplinary action against the 
delinquent public servant to the concerned competent authority under the relevant 
disciplinary laws.  
16. Representation.– Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Committee or 
the Commissioner may make a representation within thirty days, before the 
Additional Chief Secretary, Punjab, who may hear and decide such representation. 
 
17. Bar of jurisdiction .– No court shall entertain a suit, application or other 
proceeding in respect of  a complaint under inquiry with the Commission, 
Commissioner or a Committee. 
 
18. Overriding effect .– The provisions of this Act shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything inconsistent contained in any other law for the time being in 
force. 
19. Removal of  difficulties.– The Government, may, by order, provide for the 
removal of any difficulty which may arise in giving effect to the provisions of this Act. 
20. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution or any other legal proceedings shall lie 
against an officer or servant of the Commission in respect of anything done or 
intended to be done by him in good faith under this Act. 
 
 
21. Directions of the Government .– The Government may, by general or 
special order, issue directions regarding day to day working of the Commissioner. 
22. Rules.– The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make 
rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
23. Repeal and savings .– (1) The Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission Act 
2014 (XX of 2014) is hereby repealed.  
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Act mentioned in subsection (1), 
everything done and all actions taken, obligations, liabilities, inquiries or proceedings 
commenced, officers appointed or persons authorised, jurisdiction or power 
conferred, rule made an d notification issued under any provisions of the said 
enactments shall, if not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, continue in force 
and be deemed to have been respectively done, taken, incurred, commenced, 
appointed, authorised, conferred, made or issued under this Act.”. 
24. Repeal.– The Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission  Ordinance 2020 
(XVIII of 2020) is hereby repealed.