PUNJAB RACE COURSES LICENSING ORDINANCE, 1996

PUNJAB RACE COURSES LICENSING ORDINANCE, 1996

An Ordinance to provide for the licensing of and regulating race courses in the Province of the Punjab

[Gazette of Punjab, Extraordinary 1'st January, 1997]

No. Legis: 3(1)/97, dated 1‑1‑1997.‑‑The following Ordinance promulgated by the Governor of the Punjab is hereby published for general information and:‑‑

Preamble.‑‑Whereas it is expedient to make provisions for the regulation of horse‑racing in the province of the Punjab in the manner hereinafter appearing;

And whereas the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab is not in session and the Governor of the Punjab is satisfied that circumstances exist which render immediate action necessary;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on him under Article 128 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Governor of the Punjab is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance.

1. Short title and commencement.‑‑(1) This Ordinance may be called The Punjab Race Courses Licensing Ordinance, 1996.

(2) It shall come into force at once and shall be deemed to have taken effect on the day the Punjab Race‑Courses Licensing Ordinance, 1996 (IX of 1996) stands repealed under Article 128 of the Constitution.

2. Definitions.‑‑In this Ordinance‑‑

(a) "horse‑race" means any race in which any horse, mare or gelding runs or is made to run in competition with any other horse, mare or gelding for any prize of whatever nature, at which more than twenty persons are present;

(b) "race‑course" means any ground on which a horse‑race can be held;

(c) "Government" means Government of Punjab.

3. Prohibition against horse racing on unlicensed race‑course.‑‑(1) No horse‑race shall be held save on a race‑course for which a license for horse racing granted in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance is in force.

(2) The terms of such a license shall be published in the official Gazette.

4. Application for license for horse‑racing.‑‑(1) The owner, lessee or occupier of any race‑course may apply to the Government for a license for horse‑racing on such race‑course.

(2) Government may grant such license subject to such conditions and for such period as it may think fit.

(3) Government may by such license and; subject to such conditions as it may specify, authorise the licensee to permit any other institution or club to use the license for such period not exceeding the period of the license granted to the licensee as the licensee may think fit.

5. Cancellation of license.‑‑In case of violation of any terms and conditions of the license, Government may, suspend or cancel the license in addition to any penalty if imposed, as provided hereinafter.

6. Penalty for owner, etc., allowing racing in unlicensed place.‑‑If any horse‑race is held on any race‑course for which a license granted in accordance with the provisions of section 4 is not in force, any person being the owner, lessee or occupier of such race‑course shall tie punishable with fine which may amount to five thousand rupees.

7. Penalty for taking part in horse‑race on unlicensed race‑course.‑­Whoever takes part in any horse‑race on any race‑course for which a license granted in accordance with the provisions of section 4 is not in force shall be punishable with fine which may amount to two thousand rupees.

8. Penalty for contravening conditions of license.‑‑(1) If any person to whom a license has been granted in accordance with the provisions of section 4 contravenes any of the conditions subject to which such license was granted, such person shall be punishable with fine which may amount to five thousand rupees.

9. Rules.‑‑Government may make rules to carry into effect the provision, of this Ordinance.

10. Exemptions.‑‑Government may by order published in the Official Gazette exempt any horse‑race from the operation of this Ordinance.