Pakistan law · 2002
Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002
Pakistan's federal framework for declarations and registration of printing presses, newspapers and news agencies, the delivery and registration of books, offences, appeals and the Press Registrar.
PDF · 182 KB · Loads only when selected
Original explanation
About this law
The Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002 consolidates the law governing printing presses, newspapers, news agencies and the registration and delivery of books. Ordinance No. XCVIII of 2002 was promulgated on 26 October 2002 and extends to the whole of Pakistan.
Its principal subjects include declarations by keepers of printing presses, printers and publishers; authentication and cancellation of declarations; changes in publication particulars; delivery of books and newspapers; offences and penalties; registration of books and newspapers; the Press Registrar; and the statutory appeal provided by Section 20.
The downloadable 13-page copy on this page is the document supplied for publication. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting separately publishes a version marked updated to 4 November 2007. The official version and any later Gazette amendment should therefore be checked before relying on the supplied copy in a live matter.
Search within this law
Find an explained provision or topic.
Structure
Table of contents and important chapters
Preliminary and definitions
Sections 1–2: title, territorial extent, commencement and definitions used throughout the Ordinance.
Printing presses, newspapers and news agencies
Sections 3–20: publication particulars, declarations, authentication, validity, cancellation, evidentiary effect and appeals.
Declarations and registration
Sections 4, 6, 10, 13, 19, 40 and 41: the declaration system, Press Registrar's register and registration certificates.
Appeal against refusal or cancellation
Section 20: appeal within thirty days to the High Court having territorial jurisdiction over the order.
Delivery and registration of books
Sections 21–24 and 37–38: delivery of copies, receipts, catalogue particulars and Gazette publication.
Offences, penalties and cognizance
Sections 25–36: contraventions, false statements, unauthorised publications, responsibility and criminal jurisdiction.
Press Registrar and rule-making power
Sections 39–45: appointment, register, certificates, notices, rule-making power, repeal and savings.
Focused research
Important Articles and sections
Declaration of printer, publisher and news agency
The central declaration requirement preceding newspaper publication or dissemination by a news agency.
Read Section 6Cancellation of declaration
Grounds, notice, inquiry and hearing requirements before cancellation of a newspaper declaration.
Read Section 19Appeal to the competent High Court
A thirty-day appeal against refusal to authenticate or cancellation of a declaration.
Read Section 20Press Registrar, register and certificate
Appointment of the Press Registrar, maintenance of the newspaper register and issuance of registration certificates.
Read Sections 39–41Primary source
Official publication and local research copy
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting currently lists the Ordinance in its Media Laws and Rules collection. Compare the supplied copy with the Ministry's updated PDF and later Gazette amendments before reliance.
Last source verification: 2026-09-25
Professional legal contact
Need advice on how this law applies?
General research pages cannot replace advice on the facts, forum, limitation, and current law governing a particular matter.