Punjab to regulate, certify publication of Pakistan laws

LAHORE: The Punjab Department for Law and Parliamentary Affairs has announced the establishment of a special cell aimed at regulating the publication of the laws of Pakistan, ensuring that all printed versions are accurate, updated, and free from errors.

The new initiative follows the enactment of the Publication of Laws of Pakistan Act 2016, which mandates that no publisher may print any law of Pakistan without first registering with the newly formed cell and obtaining certification of accuracy.

Under the Act, publishers will be required to submit their proposed publications to the cell for review and certification. Only publishers who are registered with the cell will be authorized to release printed copies of the laws. The cell will assess the proposed publications for authenticity and correctness and issue a certificate of accuracy once the content meets required standards.

The cell will operate across various administrative divisions, with each department maintaining its own unit. Its key functions include registering publishers, reviewing all proposed publications, ensuring the authenticity of content, and overseeing the standard translation of laws. Additionally, the cell has the authority to seize unauthorized publications, destroy those with uncorrectable errors, and impose penalties on publishers who fail to meet regulatory standards.

The law stipulates that any publication of a law of Pakistan must bear the certification of accuracy, and the cell will ensure that no bookseller sells a publication without this certification. Publishers who fail to comply with registration requirements or certification processes face substantial fines. Violators could be fined up to Rs300,000 for unauthorized publication or up to Rs100,000 for failing to obtain the necessary review and certification.

The new regulations also provide a mechanism for appeals, allowing aggrieved parties to challenge decisions made by the cell. Appeals must be filed within fifteen days of receiving an order from the cell, and further legal proceedings may be initiated in cases of non-compliance. In cases of severe violations, the magistrate of the First Class will conduct summary trials, and any illegal publications will be seized by the cell.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Bilal Lodhi confirmed the establishment of the cell and said that the move would strengthen the legal framework by ensuring that the laws of Pakistan were reliably and consistently published, contributing to transparency, accessibility, and trust in legal documents across the country.