ISLAMABAD- The president has promulgated an ordinance called the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002 to amend and consolidate the law relating to news agencies, publications and printing presses.
The 15-page document extends to whole of Pakistan and comes into force at once, and with its enforcement, the West Pakistan Press and Publications Ordinance, 1963 stands repealed. It deals with matters of declaration, printer, publisher, publication, effects of non-publication, deposit of authenticated declaration, cancellation of declaration, delivery of books, penalties, registration of books and newspapers and format of the declaration of the keeper of press.
Notwithstanding the repeal of the West Pakistan Press and Publications Ordinance 1963 (W.P. Ordinance No. XXX of 1963), “every declaration made, subscribed or authenticated under either of the said Ordinance or any other law before the commencement of this Ordinance shall be deemed to have been made, subscribed or authenticated under this Ordinance.”
It provides that anything done, action taken, rule made or notice issued under the said Ordinances or any law relating to printing press and publications, shall remain in force and be deemed to have been done, taken, made or issued under this Ordinance.
The part II of the Ordinance provides that every book or paper printed within Pakistan shall have printed legibly on it the name of the printer and the place of publication along with date.
No person shall keep in his possession any press for printing of books or papers, unless he has made and subscribed before the District Coordination Officer within whose jurisdiction such press may be, by declaration in Form ‘A’ or such other form as may be prescribed, and the District Coordination Officer shall, immediately upon the filing of such form, issue a receipt for the same.
Every declaration made and subscribed under sub-section (1) shall be authenticated under the signature and official seal of the DCO before whom the said declaration is made.
Source: The News
Date:10/28/2002
