The Women in Distress and Detention Fund Act, 1996
ACT XV OF 1996
An Act to establish a fund for women
in distress and detention
[Gazette of Pakistan
The following Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) received
the assent of the President on the 10th October, 1996, and is hereby published
for general information.---
Whereas it is expedient to provide for establishment of fund
for women in distress and detention in need of legal aid and assistance and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;
It is hereby enacted as follows:---
1. Short title, extent and commencement.--(1) This Act may be called the Women in Distress and
Detention Fund Act, 1996.
(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) "Board" means the Board of Governors set up
under section 6;
(b) "Fund" means the Fund for Women in Distress
and Detention established under section 3; and
(c) "Women in distress and detention" means a
female or a class of females in need of financial assistance to alleviate her
or their miseries due to detention, litigation or for similar connected
matters.
3. Establishment of the Fund.--The Federal Government shall establish the Fund for Women in Distress and Detention to carry out the purposes of this Act.
3. Establishment of the Fund.--The Federal Government shall establish the Fund for Women in Distress and Detention to carry out the purposes of this Act.
4. Purpose of the Fund.--The
purpose of the Fund shall be to provide financial and legal assistance to women
in distress and detention.
5. Sources of Fund.--(1)
The Fund shall consist of the following sources, namely:---
(a) grants from
the Federal Government and Provincial Governments and
(b) aid and
assistance from local, national and international agencies; and
(c)
contributions from the statutory bodies, corporations, private organizations
and individuals; and
(d) income and
earnings from the movable and immovable properties acquired or leased by the
Fund.
(e) any income from the investment of the amount credited to the
Fund"; and
(2) The amount credited to the Fund shall not lapse at the
end of a financial year and shall be available for utilization at any time.
(3) The capital of the fund in full or a part thereof may be
invested in any Government savings scheme and the interest profit or earnings
thus obtained may be utilized for the purposes of the Fund."
*Amendment has been made according to the "Women in Distress and Detention Fund
(Amendment) Ordinance 2002."
6. Board of Governors.--(1) The management, overall control and supervision of the
affairs of the Fund shall vest in a Board of Governors consisting of the
following members, namely:---
(i) Federal Minister for Law, Chairman.
Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
(ii) Secretary, Ministry of Law, Member.
Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
(iii) One female member each of Members
the National Assembly and Senate, to be nominated by the
respective Houses.
(iv) Two prominent . female Members.
social workers from each Province, to be nominated by the
Provincial Governments.
(v) Provincial Home Members.
Secretaries.
(vi) Secretary of the Women Member.
Division.
(vii) Secretary of the Interior Member.
Division.
(viii)Joint Secretary, Ministry of Member/Secretary.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
(2) The members of the Board, other than ex officio members,
shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for
re-appointment.
(3) No act or proceedings, of the Board shall be invalid
merely on the ground of existence of any vacancy or defect in the constitution
of the Board.
(4) The Board may coopt any other persons for performance of
its functions.
(5) The Secretarial of the Board shall be at Islamabad .
(6) The Board may appoint an executive committee for
carrying out its functions as may be assigned to it by the Board.
(7) The meeting of the Board shall be presided over by the
Chairman or, in his absence, by the Secretary, Ministry of Law, Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs.
7. Functions and powers of the
Board.--The Board shall,---
(a) sanction disbursement out of the fund amongst women in
distress and detention;
(b) make appointment of the staff of the Board;
(c) acquire, sell and purchase property of the fund; and
(d) manage and control the fund.
8. Exemption from
tax.--Notwithstanding anything contained in the Income Tax Ordinance, 1979
(XXXI of 1979), Wealth Tax Act, 1963 (XV of 1963), Zakat and Ushr Ordinance,
1980 (XVIII of 1980), all contributions and donations to be fund shall be
exempt from levy of these taxes and deduction of Zakat.
9. Accounts of the Fund, Pty.--(1)
The accounts of the fund shall be audited by the Auditor-General of Pakistan
(2) The Board shall, periodically, submit reports to the
Federal Government relating to the fund and its activities.
10. Delegation of Powers.--The
Board may delegate all any its powers and functions to the Chairman or a member
of the Board, executive committee, Provincial Government or any other authority
as it may deem fit.
11. Rules.--(1)
The Board may make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such rules may include,---
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such rules may include,---
(a) procedure for disbursement of the fund;
(b) resignation of non-official members; and
(c) appointment of members on seats becoming vacant due to
death or resignation of a non-official member.
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