The Punjab Acid Control Act 2025

^{^[1]}THE PUNJAB ACID CONTROL ACT 2025

(ACT XXVI OF 2025)

[2^nd May 2025]

An Act to regulate and control the business of acid in Punjab.

It is necessary to regulate and control the business of acid in Punjab by providing a comprehensive mechanism and for the matters ancillary thereto and connected therewith.

Be it enacted by Provincial Assembly of Punjab as follows:

1. Short title, extent and commencement.- (1) This Act may be cited as the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025.

(2) It shall extend to whole of Punjab.

(3) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.- In the Act:

(a) “acid” means a corrosive substance tending to destroy, causing hurt, deface or dismember any organ of human body and includes every kind of acid having corroding effect and which is deleterious to human body and any other substance provided in Form-I of the Schedule;

(b) “Act” means the Punjab Acid Control Act 2025;

(c) “business premises" means a place, building, shop, warehouse or any other place being used for storage and selling of acid;

(d) “business of acid” means business of supplying, transporting, storing, purchasing and selling of acid;

(e) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898);

(f) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner as defined in the Punjab Civil Administration Act 2017 (III of 2017);

(g) “Court” means the Court of Magistrate of the first class as classified in the Code;

(h) “Department” means the Home Department, Government of Punjab;

(i) “Deputy Commissioner” means the Deputy Commissioner as defined in the Punjab Civil Administration Act 2017 (III of 2017);

(j) “Form” means the Form provided in the Schedule;

(k) “Government” means Government of the Punjab.

(l) “license” means a license for the purpose of business of acid granted by the licensing authority under the Act;

(m) “licensee” means a person having valid license under the Act;

(n) “licensing authority” means the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district;

(o) “person” means an individual or juristic person or association of persons;

(p) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules made under the Act;

(q) “rules” means the rules made under the Act;

(r) “Secretary” means the Secretary to the Government, Home Department; and

(s) “Schedule” means the Schedule appended to the Act.

3. Prohibition.- (1) No person shall carry on the business of acid without a license.

(2) No acid shall be sold to the person below the age of eighteen years.

4. Application for grant of license.- (1) A person who is carrying on the business of acid before the commencement of the Act, shall, within thirty days of the commencement of the Act, submit an application on Form-II, for grant of license, to the licensing authority, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed until so prescribed as may be determined by the Secretary.

(2) On receipt of application under sub-section (1), the licensing authority may grant a provisional license to carry on the business of acid which shall be valid until the decision is made on the application for grant of license.

(3) A person who intends to carry on the business of acid after the commencement of the Act, he shall submit an application on Form-II, for grant of license, to the licensing authority on payment of such fee as may be prescribed until so prescribed as may be determined by the Secretary.

(4) On receipt of application under sub-section (1), the licensing authority may himself or through an officer, not below the rank of BS 16, visit the business premises for verification of the information provided in the application.

(5) The licensing authority may, after his satisfaction, grant a license on Form-III, for the purpose applied for, for a period of two years which may be extendable for a further period of two years.

(6) Subject to the provisions of the Act, licensing authority shall decide the application within sixty days of its receipt and in case of rejection of application, the licensing authority shall pass a speaking order along with reasons for such rejection.

(7) The licensing authority may, if so required, require an additional information and the applicant shall provide such information with in such time and in such manner as may be directed by the licensing authority.

(8) In case the licensing authority causes visit of the business premises through his authorized officer, the authorized officer shall within such time as may be provided to him by the licensing authority, submit a report of his visit, in writing, to the licensing authority in such manner as may be directed by the licensing authority.

(9) The license issued under the Act shall be person and place specific as provided in the license and it shall also contain the quantity of acid to be retained by the licensee at a time.

5. Renewal of license.- (1) The license granted under the Act may be renewed for a further period as provided in sub-section (5) of section 4 of the Act, on an application on Form-III, by the licensee on payment of such fee as may be prescribed and until so prescribed as may be determined by the Secretary.

(2) The procedure provided for grant of license under section 4 of the Act shall be applicable for renewal of license.

6. Issuance of duplicate copy of a license.- (1) In case original license is lost or destroyed or becomes illegible due to any reason, a report thereof shall be made to the licensing authority in such manner and within such period as may be prescribed.

(2) The licensing authority may, after his satisfaction, may, on such terms and conditions and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, issue a duplicate copy of the license.

7. Suspension or cancellation of a license.- (1) The licensing authority may suspend for such a period as may be deemed fit or cancel the license on Form-IV, if the terms and conditions of the license are violated or the license is obtained on the basis of false information or any provision of the Act or the rules made thereunder is violated.

(2) The licensing authority shall, before suspension or cancellation of license, give an opportunity of being heard to licensee.

(3) In case a licensee is convicted for an offence punishable under sections 332, 336A and 336B of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860), license of such licensee shall be deemed to have been cancelled from the date of such conviction and formal cancellation shall be made and issued as such conviction comes in the knowledge and information of the licensing authority by any means and in such case an opportunity of being heard shall not be required.

(4) The order of suspension or cancellation, as the case may be, shall be communicated to the concerned person within seven days of issuance of such order.

(5) In case of death of a licensee, the license shall stand cancelled forthwith and the business premises shall be liable to be sealed by the licensing authority or his authorized officer till such time the legal heir of such deceased is granted a license.

(6) In case, no legal heir applies for grant of license regarding business of acid of the deceased, the stock available at such business premises shall be taken into custody by the licensing authority or his authorized officer in such manner as may be prescribed or until so prescribed as may be determined by the licensing authority.

(7) The stock taken into custody under sub-section (6), shall be sold through an open auction with the permission of the Court and the amount received from such auction, after deduction of expenses incurred on such auction, shall be handed over to the legal heirs of the deceased licensee on their request, in writing to the licensing authority.

(8) In case there in no legal heir or no legal heir applies within a period of two years from the date of auction, the amount received from the auction shall be deposited in the treasury.

8. Importer and manufacturer of acid.- (1) An importer or manufacturer of acid, duly license under the relevant laws for the time being in force, carrying on his business of acid in Punjab shall also be required to be registered under the Act.

(2) The Secretary or his authorized officer may ask the importer or manufacturer of acid in Punjab to produce a license issued by the competent authority under relevant laws for the time being in force, proof of registration under the Act and details of acid supplied in Punjab and such importer or manufacturer, as the case may be, shall be bound to produce the valid license and provided the details.

(3) In case of violation of any provisions of the Act and the rules and subject to the reasons recorded in writing, Secretary may ban the business of acid by an importer or manufacturer in Punjab.

9. Power to seal, confiscate and remove.- (1) On his own information or on a complaint received to him, licensing authority, if he is satisfied that the business of acid is carrying on without lawful authority, may seal the business premises or seize the vehicle used for such transportation, as the case may be.

(2) In case the acid, sealed under sub-section (1), is declared in contravention to the provisions of the Act by the Court, it shall be confiscated and disposed of in such manner as may be prescribed or until so prescribed as may be directed by the Court.

(3) The acid sealed under sub-section (1), may, if the circumstances so warrant, be removed from such place and be placed at such other place as may be allowed by the Court.

10. Maintenance of record by license.- (1) A licensee shall keep and maintain a record of business of acid on Form-V and the record of such business of acid shall be shared with the licensing authority within one month after the end of a year.

(2) The licensing authority or his authorized officer may require information as and when required for the purposes of the Act and the licensee shall be bound to produce such information in such manner and within such time as provided in the order.

11. General conditions.– The license shall be non-transferable and the licensee shall:

(a) observe the prescribed terms and conditions;

(b) display the license at a conspicuous place at the business premises;

(d) not use or allow to be used a license for the purpose other than mentioned in the license;

(e) intimate the licensing authority or his authorized officer regarding close of his business of acid; and

(f) maintain a record of business of acid in the prescribed manner.

12. Packing of acid.- (1) The acid shall be stored, supplied, transported and sold in the packed containers duly sealed and stamped with the precautions labelled on such containers.

(2) Subject to the provisions of the Act, Secretary may issue such directions or guidelines for safe packing, storing, supplying and transportation of acid as he may deem fit for the purposes of the Act.

(3) A container of acid shall contain the following legible information printed conspicuously on it:

(a) name and kind of acid;

(b) name, address and license number;

(d) manufacturing and expiry dates, if any;

(e) warning statement including the words “DANGEROUS/CORROSIVE” in red on a contrasting background; and

(f) instructions for use, storage and handling and safety precautions relating thereto.

13. Maintenance of record by licensing authority.- The licensing authority shall maintain a record of the applications for grant and renewal of licenses on Form-VI.

14. Power to inspect the business of acid.- (1) The licensing authority or his authorized officer may at any time visit the business premises and may inspect all acids and the registers containing details of such stock.

(2) The licensing authority or his authorized officer shall conduct a regular visit of the business premises at least once in six months.

15. Public awareness.- The Government shall make arrangements of public awareness through posters, notice boards, newspapers and electronic media to:

(a) encourage compliance to the provisions of this Act; and

(b) responsibilities of the licensee and buyer.

16. Appeal.- (1) A person aggrieved of an order passed by the licensing authority under the Act, may, within thirty days of communication of such order, file an appeal before the Commissioner who shall decide it within thirty days of its filing.

(2) A person aggrieved of the decision of the Commissioner, may, within thirty days of passing of such order, file a second appeal before the Secretary who shall decide it within thirty days of its receipt.

(3) Any person aggrieved of the order of the Secretary, may, within thirty days of the issuance of such order, file a revision petition before the Chief Secretary who shall decide the petition within sixty days and his decision thereon shall be final.

17. Punishment.– Whoever contravenes the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder or the directions or guidelines or orders issued under the Act regarding business of acid shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years and fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees and in case of non-payment of fine, he shall undergo for an imprisonment of three months.

18. Cognizance and trial.– (1) An offence under the Act shall be cognizable, non-bailable, non-compoundable and triable by the Court in the manner provided in the Code.

(2) The licensing authority or his authorized officer on his own information or on a complaint received to him, may make an application, in writing, to the nearest police station for registration of a case against the person violating the provision of the Act or the rules made thereunder and an officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector shall investigate the matter after registration of the case.

19. Negligence in business of acid.- (1) In case, negligence in business of acid resulting in any harm to human body or property is established, the licensee shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years but not less than two years and fine which may extend to one million rupees but not less than two hundred thousand rupees.

(2) In addition to the punishment provided under sub-section (1), the compensation determined by the Court for the loss occurred due to such negligence, shall also be payable to the aggrieved person.

20. Indemnity.- No legal proceedings shall lie against licensing authority or any officer authorized by him for damages for any act done in good faith, or ordered to be done in pursuance of any provision of the Act and the rules.

21. Power to make rules.- The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for the purposes of the Act.

22. Power to amend the Schedule.- The Government, may, by notification in the official Gazette, amend the Schedule.

23. Overriding effect.- The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force on the subject.

24. Removal of difficulties.- If any difficulty arises in giving effect to or applying the provisions of the Act, the Government may make such order, not inconsistent with the Act, as may be necessary for removing the difficulty.

SCHEDULE

[see section 2(s)]

FORM-I

Sr. No.	Name of Acid
1.	NITRIC ACID
2.	AQUA REGIA
3.	SULFURIC ACID
4.	HYDROCHLORIC ACID
5.	PHOSPHORIC ACID
6.	PERCHLORIC ACID
7.	HYDROIODIC ACID
8.	HYDROBROMIC ACID
9.	ACETIC ACID
10.	FORMIC ACIDS
11.	HYDROFLUORIC ACID
12.	FORMALDEHYDE
13.	CHROMIC ACID
14.	SODIUM HYDROXIDE
15.	POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE
16.	BARRIUM HYDROXIDE
17.	STRONCIUM HYDROXIDE
18.	AMIDE, METAL
19.	ACETYL CHLORIDE
20.	ANHYDROUS PHENOLS
21.	CAUSTIC SODA
22.	CARBOLIC ACID
23.	CALCIUM HYDROXIDE
24.	ANHYDROUS HALOGENS (F, Cl, Br, I)
25.	ZINC CHLORIDE
26.	SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE
27.	CAUSTIC POTASH
28.	DIMETHYL SULFATE
29.	BENZYL CHLOFORMATE
30.	SODIUM HYDRIDE

FORM-II

[See section 4(1)]

The Deputy Commissioner/Licensing Authority,

------------------------------

Subject:- APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF LICENCE FOR THE BUSINESS OF ACID

Sir,

I (Applicant Name / Company Name / Firm Name) having CNIC / NTN No. ___________________________ with a contact number______________ require a license for business of acid in respect to the business premises _______ (Address of Premises)______________

I intend to carry on the business of ______________________.

2. I may kindly be permitted and granted a license for carrying on the said business for two years (Years).

3. I under-take to abide by all the provisions of the act and applicable to the subject matter, as directed and conveyed by the Government of the Punjab from time to time.

4. I assure that I will keep only the following acids in the quantity and quality mentioned against each [mention the name, quantity and quality of each acid] or as may be allowed:-

Sr. No.	Name of the Acid	Quality (Concentration)	Quantity

5. After the expiry of the license period, I will myself apply for renewal of the license.

6. I will observe all the conditions for grant of license that are;

i. observe the prescribed terms and conditions under this Act;

ii. keep the license at the licensed premises, displayed at a conspicuous place in the business premises, and shall bound to produce the same on demand,

iii. not in any case use or allow to be used license for any purpose other than the one for which it has been issued;

iv. get my license renewed after every two years in the month of July;

v. intimate the Licensing Authority on closing of the business;

vi. required to maintain a record of sale of acid in prescribed manner;

vii. required to business under my personal supervision

viii. provide the Licensing Authority on quarterly basis with record of stock and sale of acids.

Applicant’s signature___________________

The following documents are enclosed:

(a) Copy of CNIC of the applicant;

(b) (i) Passport size recent photographs (in case of individual); or

(ii) Certified copy of resolution of Board of Directors (in case of company); or

(iii) Affidavit (in case of firm)

(d) Title of the property; and

(e) Tenancy Agreement, if any.

Photograph

FORM-III

[See section 4(5)]

(Name)

Address

Subject: LICENCE / RENEWAL FOR CARRYING ON THE BUSINESS OF ACID

With reference to your application dated for grant of license / renewal of license, you are hereby granted a license / renewal of license for carrying on the business of Acid as required.

2. During the term of license you will abide by all prescribed terms and conditions and bye-laws on the subject matter and as may be directed or conveyed by the Punjab Government from time to time.

3. The license / renewal is granted to you as per following particulars:-

4. I under-take to abide by all the provisions of the act and rules applicable to the subject matter, as directed an conveyed by the {Punjab Government} from time to time.

5. After the expiry of the license period, I will myself apply for renewal of the license.

Name

Father’s / Husband’s Name

C.N.I.C No.

Term of license 1^st July, 20----- to 30^th June, 20-----

License Fee Paid

Address

Description of Premises

Maximum quantity of each Acid allowed to retain:

Sr. No.	Name of Acid	Maximum Quantity to be retained at a time

LICENSING AUTHORITY

FORM-IV

[See section 7(1)]

Name of Licensee. License No.

(Name)

Address

Subject: REVOCATION OF LICENCE

With reference to the license issued by this department in your favor dated for carrying on the business of acid at in the jurisdiction of District .

2. It is intimated that your license has been revoked on the following grounds:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

LICENSING AUTHORITY

FORM-V

[See section 10 (1)]

REGISTER / RECORD

Name of Licensee. License No.

Name of Acid
Permission No. and Date
Quantity Sold
Date of Sale
Name and address of purchase with CNIC No.
Purpose of which the Acid was sold
Signature and thumb impression of the purchaser
Signature of vendor / licensee

Note: Attested copy of the permission shall be annexed.

FORM-VI

[See section 13]

[Name of District]

Name and address of the applicant

License No. [if granted]

Date of issue

License renewed on ------------ or otherwise

Reasons for rejection of license [in case of rejection]

[1]This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 22 April 2025; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on 02 May 2025; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 02 May 2025, pages 4263-71.