The Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority Act 2025

^{^[1]}THE PUNJAB TOURISM AND HERITAGE AUTHORITY ACT 2025

(Act XCI of 2025)

[12^th November 2025]

An Act to promote, manage and develop tourism and heritage related activities in Punjab.

It is necessary to make provisions for promotion, management, and development of tourism and heritage and the matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto.

It is hereby enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows:

1. Short title, extent and commencement.– (1) This Act may be cited as the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority Act 2025.

(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab.

(3) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.– In the Act:

(a) “Act” means the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority Act 2025;

(b) “Authority” means the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority established under the Act;

(d) “Collector” means the Collector of a district as defined in Colonization of Government Lands (Punjab) Act, 1912 (V of 1912);

(e) “Department” means a Department of the Government as defined under the Punjab Government Rules of Business 2011 and includes an attached department, agency, commission, company, authority, board or any other such entities owned or controlled by the Government;

(f) “Director General” means Director General of the Authority;

(g) “eco-tourism” means environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature with accompanying cultural features that promote conservation, has low visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement;

(h) “employee” means an employee of the Authority;

(i) “Government” means Government of the Punjab;

(j) “heritage” means architectural, archaeological, monumental, historical, artistic, aesthetic, cultural or social aspects, reflections, elements, features and structures of a building or a group of buildings, urban fabric, urban open space, public area, public crossing or public passage and includes intangible heritage;

(k) “intangible heritage” includes the customary practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, lore, skills, traditions, festive events, traditional craftsmanship, performing arts, as well as, instruments, objects, artifacts, associated therewith and also includes the evolution thereof;

(l) “local government” means a local government constituted under the Punjab Local Government Act 2022 (XXXIII of 2022) or any other law for the time being in force;

(m) “Member” means a Member of the Authority;

(n) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or the regulations made or framed under the Act;

(o) “public area” means any place to which public, subject to any restrictions deemed to be in the public interest, has a free access;

(p) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act;

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

(r) “service” means any service provided by the Authority under the Act;

(s) “specified tourism or heritage area” means an area declared as the specified tourism or heritage area under section 8 of the Act;

(t) “tourism’’ means and includes the facilities, services, activities, or products related to a tourist or a person occasionally within a particular area or otherwise including but not limited to access, accommodation, hospitality, hotels, restaurants, food and beverages, tour guides and tour operator, agencies, recreational, adventure, culture related activities and such other allied and ancillary activities which may be notified by the Government; and

(u) “tourist" means a person travelling to and staying in a place outside his usual abode for leisure, business and such like other purposes.

3. Establishment of the Authority.– (1) The Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, establish an Authority to be known as the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Authority with its headquarter at such place as may be provided in the notification.

(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with the power to enter into contracts, acquire property and, subject to approval of the Government, lease or dispose of its immoveable property and may, by the said name sue and be sued.

4. Composition of the Authority.– (1) The Authority shall consist of:

(a)	Chief Minister, Punjab;	Chairperson
(b)	Minister for Tourism, Archaeology and Museums;	Vice Chairperson
(c)	Secretary to the Government, Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Department;	Member
(d)	Secretary to the Government, Finance Department;	Member
(e)	Secretary to the Government, Planning and Development Board;	Member
(f)	Secretary to the Government, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department;	Member
(g)	Secretary to the Government, Environment Protection and Climate Change Department;	Member
(h)	Secretary to the Government, Local Government and Community Development Department;	Member
(i)	Secretary to the Government, Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department;	Member
(j)	Director General, Walled City of Lahore Authority;	Member
(k)	Managing Director, Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab;	Member
(l)	Director General, Archaeology, Punjab;	Member
(m)	Director, Lahore Museums;	Member
(n)	Director General, Parks and Horticulture Authority;	Member
(o)	Director General;	Member/Secretary
(p)	two Members of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab;	Members
(q)	four Members from private sector having expertise in the field of tourism or heritage.	Members

(2) The Members at clauses (p) and (q) of sub-section (1), shall be nominated by the Chief Minister for a term of three years but they shall serve during the pleasure of the Chief Minister.

(3) The Authority shall not pay any remuneration to a Member except such travelling allowance as may be prescribed by the rules, for attending a meeting of the Authority.

(4) One-third of the total Members shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of the Authority, and the Authority shall make decisions by the majority of its Members present and voting, and in case of a tie, the person presiding over the meeting shall have a casting vote:

Provided that the quorum for the meeting to be held for approval of the budget of the Authority shall be one-half of its total membership.

(5) The Authority shall meet at least once in three months and a meeting of the Authority shall be held on such date, time and place as the Chairperson or, in his absence, the Vice Chairperson so directs.

(6) The Chairperson, or in his absence the Vice Chairperson, shall preside over the meetings of the Authority.

(7) The Director General shall maintain or cause to be maintained the record of each meeting of the Authority including the minutes of the meetings to be approved by the person presiding over the meeting.

(8) The Members at clauses (p) and (q) of sub-section (1), may resign by tendering resignations to the Chief Minister.

(9) The Chief Minister may fill any casual vacancy under clauses (p) and (q) of sub-section (1), through nomination of a person as Member for the remaining term of the outgoing Member.

5. Functions of the Authority.– (1) Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Authority shall perform such functions and take such measures as are necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), the Authority shall:

(a) formulate policies, issue guidelines and prescribe measures for sustainable and inclusive tourism and heritage;

(b) promote and develop tourism for local and foreign travelers and tourists in collaboration with concerned Departments;

(c) promote and encourage eco-tourism and development of environment-friendly tourist sites without adversely affecting ecosystem in collaboration with concerned Departments;

(d) design ways and means to preserve tangible and intangible heritage and heritage assets, values and traditions of the Province;

(e) oversee, guide and steer various tourism and heritage related reforms, projects and initiatives by the corporations and entities;

(f) promote and preserve tourism and heritage assets, values and traditions across Punjab;

(g) develop a comprehensive communication strategy focusing on the promotion, branding and marketing of tourism and heritage in the Province;

(h) enter into management sharing contracts and service level agreements with the concerned ministries, departments, agencies, public and private sector organizations, federal or provincial, in collaboration with the concerned Departments and with the approval of the Government wherever so required;

(i) map, record, document and publish the tourism and heritage assets of the Province;

(j) develop and prescribe a code of conduct and practice in the tourism sector;

(k) devise ways and means for partnership and collaboration with the international organization relating to tourism and heritage enabling access to expertise, resources and grants;

(l) frame regulation for the awareness for development and management of tourism ensuring conservation of both tangible and intangible heritage in the Province;

(m) envisage the improvement and protection of tourist and heritage sites by taking appropriate measures;

(n) promote local and international collaboration by holding of international, national and local conventions, seminars, workshops, exhibitions and meetings for the promotion of travel and tourism and conservation of heritage;

(o) design and advise the creation of such facilities at the sites of religious sites as may be required for promotion of religious tourism in collaboration with the concerned Departments;

(p) project and publicize tourism, heritage, ecology, religious and archaeological monuments to attract tourists and travelers in collaboration with the concerned Departments;

(q) maintain a data base in the form of Punjab Tourism database and website for travelers and tourists, containing necessary information and electronically available information and services for the travelers and tourists;

(r) levy and recover such fee or charges for such services to be provided by it or any other matter as may be notified by the Authority;

(s) impose and recover such fines for any violations of the Act as may be prescribed by the rules;

(t) assist the Government in improving travel and tourism sectors through cost effective policies and legislative proposals;

(u) raise loans or transfer immovable property under the control of the Authority with prior permission of the Government;

(v) ensure adequate and effective governance and risk management systems in the Authority;

(w) promote and develop public and private partnerships with other Departments and organizations both at the local and international level in line with the Punjab Public Private Partnership Act 2025 (XVII of 2025);

(x) develop a framework or guidelines for attracting both local and foreign investment for financing, developing and managing tourism and heritage sites and projects;

(y) make provisions in the public private partnership contracts for preserving and protecting the cultural and environmental integrity of tourism and heritage sites with guidelines for sustainable tourism practices within the public private partnership model;

(z) design means and measures where payments or benefits in public private partnership model are tied to performance, ensuring the accountability in the quality of service and maintenance of tourism and heritage sites;

(aa) develop guidelines for risk sharing where both the government and private sector bear specific types of risks such as construction risk and operational risk, depending on the public private partnership model;

(bb) approve annual plans and reports;

(cc) ensure effective and efficient use of resources, solvency and safeguarding of the assets of the Authority;

(dd) approve annual accounts, budget and estimate of expenditure;

(ee) appoint its inspection teams;

(ff) take disciplinary action against any of its employee in such manner as may be prescribed by the regulations;

(gg) establish or accredit institutions for development and promotion of travel and tourism in such manner as may be prescribed by the regulations;

(hh) prepare scheme for the specified tourism or heritage area;

(ii) perform any other functions and exercise such powers as may be ancillary to the above or assigned by the Government; and

(jj) formulate policy in consultation with the local government concerned regarding land-use, building control, and provision of public services, for the effective management by the local government, within specified tourism and heritage areas.

(3) The Authority may enter into an agreement with the concerned local government for performance of such functions and exercise of such powers of local governments, as may be prescribed.

6. Director General.– (1) There shall be a Director General of the Authority to be appointed by the Government on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the rules, and until so prescribed, as the Government may determine.

(2) The Director General shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority and shall hold office for a term of three years which may be renewed for a further period of up-to three years, but he shall serve during the pleasure of the Government.

(3) Subject to the general supervision and direction of the Authority, the Director General shall:

(a) manage the administration, operations and functions of the Authority;

(b) act as the principal accounting officer of the Authority and responsible and accountable for the management of Funds and assets of the Authority;

(d) be responsible to the Authority for implementation of the decisions of the Authority;

(e) act as spokesperson of the Authority; and

(f) have such powers regarding appointment, transfer, promotion, dismissal and other matters affecting the employees of the Authority as may be prescribed in the regulations or as may be delegated to him by the Authority.

(4) The Director General may delegate any of his functions, mentioned in sub-section (3), except those delegated to him by the Authority under the Act, to the officers subordinate to him.

7. Committees.– The Authority may constitute such financial, technical or advisory committees comprising Members of the Authority, or persons other than Members, or both, as may be deemed necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act and such committees shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be delegated or assigned to them by the Authority.

8. Specified tourism or heritage area.– (1) With the approval of the Government, the Authority may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare any area or a part of that area as a specified tourism or heritage area.

(2) The Authority may devise procedures, prescribe standards, issue guidelines for a specified tourism or heritage area.

(3) The Authority may, with the approval of the Government, align the specified tourism or heritage area with the local government master plan, byelaws, land use regulations and sustainability goals or recommend and notify the changes thereof.

(4) The Authority may come up with the development of special infrastructure and service regulations which could include guidelines for tourist facilities, transportation, security and environmental protections within the specified tourism or heritage area.

(5) Subject to the master plan of the local government concerned, the Authority may make tourism policies for a specified tourism or heritage area.

(6) The Authority may grant license, lease or manage its property in a specified tourism or heritage area in such manner as it may determine.

9. Constitution of agencies, offices and units.– (1) The Authority shall operate and perform its functions across specified tourism or heritage area for effective discharge of its mandate and for such purpose, the Authority may constitute such agencies, offices, or operational units as it may deem necessary.

(2) The agencies, offices or operating units constituted under sub-section (1), shall possess such administrative, operational and financial authority in relation to any specified tourism or heritage area as may be assigned to them by the Authority subject to the regulations, overarching policy framework, supervision and control exercised by the Authority.

10. Composition of agencies.– An agency, constituted under section 9, shall be headed by the Managing Director and comprising of such members having such structure and administrative arrangements, including the appointment, terms and conditions of Managing Director, members and officers as may be prescribed by the rules.

11. Functions and powers of agencies.– (1) The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, assign to an agency such specified tourism or heritage area in respect of which it shall exercise its powers and functions.

(2) The Authority may also, with the prior approval of the Government, entrust to an agency constituted under the Act such functions as may be necessary for the management of a specified tourism or heritage area.

(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2), an agency may be entrusted with all or any of the following functions within specified tourism and heritage area:

(a) monitor adherence of policy formulated by the Authority regarding land-use, building control, and provision of public services by the local government concerned within specified tourism or heritage area;

(b) regulation of trade, calling and occupation within the specified tourism or heritage area, whether carried on in public or private properties;

(c) regulation of use of public places, urban open spaces, crossings and passages for public communication, ceremonies, cultural or religious events;

(d) conservation, redevelopment and renewal of heritage sites and the environment within the specified tourism or heritage area;

(e) promotion of tourism, culture, and investment in the specified tourism or heritage area; and

(f) such other functions as may be delegated to it by the Authority in accordance with the Act, or as may, with the approval of the Government, be entrusted to it by the Authority, or as may be assigned to it by the Government under the Act or any other law for the time being in force.

12. Grant for conservation of a property.– The Authority may grant, to a Department, the permission for conservation of a property in a specified tourism or heritage area on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.

13. Encroachment and its removal.– (1) No person shall make an encroachment on specified tourism or heritage area or any property owned or controlled by the Authority.

(2) The Authority may, through concerned Collector, ensure removal of encroachment on specified tourism or heritage area or any property owned and controlled by the Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Colonization of Government Lands (Punjab) Act, 1912 (V of 1912).

14. Summary ejectment.– (1) The Authority, through concerned Collector, may summarily eject any person in unauthorized occupation of specified tourism or heritage area or any property owned and controlled by the Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Colonization of Government Lands (Punjab) Act, 1912 (V of 1912).

(2) A person, on expiry of lease or license, shall become an unauthorized occupant.

15. Power to require information.– The Authority may require any information from:

(a) a statutory, regulatory or any other body which deals with any aspect of a specified tourism or heritage area or tourism or heritage related property;

(b) a person who owns or occupies a property or is doing business in a specified tourism or heritage area;

(d) any other relevant person or entity.

16. Duty to assist the Authority.– (1) The Authority may seek such assistance of any Department in the performance of its functions as may be necessary for the performance of its functions under the Act.

(2) In case a Department is unable to assist the Authority under sub-section (1), it shall record reasons, in writing, to this effect and communicate to the Authority.

17. Fund.– (1) There shall be a Fund of the Authority to be known as the Punjab Tourism and Heritage Fund which shall vest with the Authority and the Authority shall meet all its expenses from such Fund.

(2) The Authority shall maintain and manage the Fund in such manner as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(3) The Fund shall consist of:

(a) loans and grants received from the Government or the Federal Government;

(b) grants and loans negotiated and raised, or obtained by the Authority;

(d) income from the lease or sale of the property; and

(e) all other sums received by the Authority.

18. Bank account.– The Authority may open and maintain its account at Scheduled Bank in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Finance Department of the Government.

19. Budget.– (1) The Director General shall prepare the budget of the Authority for each financial year commencing from first day of July of a year and ending on thirtieth day of June of the succeeding year.

(2) The Director General shall place the budget for approval before the Authority at least forty-five days prior to the commencement of a financial year.

20. Audit.– (1) The Auditor General of Pakistan shall conduct audit of the accounts of the Authority.

(2) In addition to the audit under sub-section (1), the Authority may appoint a firm of chartered accountants, which is placed in category ‘A’ by the State Bank of Pakistan, for the annual audit of the accounts of the Authority.

(3) The auditors appointed under sub-section (2) shall submit report to the Authority and the Authority may take such action and make such decisions as may be necessary in the light of such audit report.

21. Recovery of dues.– A sum due to the Authority shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue.

22. Appointments.– The Authority may appoint such employees, experts or consultants and other staff in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the rules, and until so prescribed, as the Authority may determine.

23. Levy of fees, charges and rates by the Authority.– The Authority may levy fees, rates, rents, charges on following subjects:

(a) maintenance and updating various records by the Authority;

(b) fee for grant of various licenses and permits in respect of its functions; and

24. Offences and penalties.– (1) A person who knowingly renders false, incorrect or misleading information to the Authority or fails to comply with any direction of the Authority under the Act or fails to provide information required by the Authority or violates any provision of the Act, shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees.

(2) Where an offence under the Act has been committed by a company, the person, or an entity who at the time of commission of offence was in charge of, and was responsible for the conduct of its activities, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished under the Act.

25. Offences to be bailable.– Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898), an offence under the Act shall be bailable, and cognizable on the complaint of an employee authorized by the Authority.

26. Summary trial.– The court of the Magistrate of First Class shall try an offence punishable under the Act, summarily in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).

27. Compounding of offences.– (1) Subject to sub-section (2), an officer specifically authorized in this behalf by the Authority may, at any stage, compound an offence under the Act subject to the deposit of administrative penalty which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees.

(2) The offences under the Act shall not be compoundable if the accused has been previously convicted under the Act or his previous offence has been compounded under the Act.

28. Appeals.– (1) A person aggrieved from any direction, decision or order of the Authority or an employee may, within fifteen days from the date of communication of the same, prefer an appeal before the appellate committee to be constituted by the Chief Minister.

(2) The decision of the appellate committee shall be final.

(3) A person aggrieved by any final order, sentence, direction or decision passed by a court under the Act may, within thirty days, prefer an appeal to the of Court of Sessions.

29. Monitoring and evaluation.– (1) The Authority shall prepare framework or modules to collect data on the current or potential tourism impact such as visitor’s number and environmental degradation for monitoring and evaluation.

(2) The Authority shall design and prepare inspection framework, guidelines and proformas, for routine or periodic monitoring to get feedback or report for the compliance with the provisions of the Act, rules, regulations and policies on the subject.

(3) The Authority shall evaluate reports under sub-section (2) and take remedial actions as deemed fit to safeguard and protect those specified tourism or heritage area.

30. Annual performance report.– (1) The Authority shall prepare and forward to the Government by 31^st January each year, the annual performance report relating to performance of its functions during the preceding year.

(2) The Government shall, as soon as possible, lay the annual performance report before Provincial Assembly of the Punjab.

31. Public servants.– The Chairperson, Members, Director General, employees, experts and consultants of the Authority and Managing Director, members and officers of an agency shall, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of the Act, be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860).

32. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Chairperson, Members, Director General, employees, experts and consultants of the Authority and Managing Director, members and officers of an agency, in respect of anything caused or done or intended to be caused or done in good faith under the Act.

33. Power to make rules.– The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act.

34. Power to frame regulations.– Subject to the Act and the rules made thereunder, the Authority may frame regulations for carrying out the purposes of the Act.

35. Power to issue directions.– The Authority may issue directions for effective enforcement of the provisions of the Act, rules or regulations.

36. Act to have overriding effect.– The provisions of the Act shall have overriding effect notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force.

37. Removal of difficulties.– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of the Act, the Government may make such order, not inconsistent with the Act, as may be necessary for the removal of such difficulty.

[1]This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 03 November 2025; assented to by Governor of the Punjab on 12 November 2025; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 12 November 2025; pages 2377-85.