# Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Act, 2018 > Unofficial digital reference edition. Consult the official sources or Gazette when legal accuracy is material. - **Jurisdiction:** Islamabad - **Subject:** Health, drugs and environment - **Instrument type:** Act - **Citation:** Act No. XXIII of 2018 - **Enacted:** 2018-05-18 - **Catalogue verified:** 2026-09-15 - **Canonical HTML:** [View the formatted edition](https://law.legumlawfirm.co/Islamabad-Healthcare-Regulation-Act/) - **Latest amendment:** No subsequent amending enactment identified through 15 September 2026. ## Content ### Parts, Chapters and Schedules - Chapter I: Introduction - Chapter II: Establishment, Functions And Power Of The Authority - Chapter III: Registration Of Healthcare Establishments - Chapter IV: Regulation Of Healthcare - Chapter V: Offences, Penalties, Procedure, Complaints And Enforcement - Chapter VI: Employees, Fund, Budget And Accounts - Chapter VII: Miscellaneous ### Sections - 1. Short title, extent, commencement and application. - 2. Definitions. - 3. Establishment of Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority. - 4. Powers and functions of the Authority. - 5. Board of the Authority. - 6. Constitution of selection committee. - 7. Term of the Board and the committee members. - 8. Disqualifications. - 9. Chairperson. - 10. Functions and powers of the Board. - 11. Delegation. - 12. Chief executive officer. - 13. Disqualifications of chief executive officer. - 14. Regulation of provision of healthcare services. - 15. Establishment of a Registration Board. - 16. Powers and functions of the Registration Board. - 17. Setting standards. - 18. Establishment of inspection committee. - 19. Members of the inspection committee. - 20. Inspection Team. - 21. Registration. - 22. Licensing. - 23. Application for license. - 24. Licensing procedure. - 25. Kinds of licences. - 26. Revocation and suspension of licence. - 27. Quality improvement. - 28. Public sector registration. - 29. Penalties. - 30. Offences. - 31. Appeal. - 32. Cognizance by court. - 33. Complaints. - 34. Procedure of investigation. - 35. Directions as to apparatus, appliance, equipment or products. - 36. Action done in good faith. - 37. The Fund. - 38. Budget. - 39. Bank accounts. - 40. Annual report, accounts and audit. - 41. Investments. - 42. Employees of the Authority. - 43. Public servant. - 44. Executive authorities to assist the Authority. - 45. Recovery of fines and other dues as arrears of land revenue. - 46. Rules. - 47. Regulations. - 48. Failure to comply with the decision of the Authority. - 49. Removal of difficulties. - 50. Incentives. - 51. Overriding effect. An Act to provide for establishment of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority WHEREAS it is expedient to provide a regulatory framework to ensure provision of quality health care services, by implementing quality standards by the healthcare sector, to residents of the Islamabad Capital Territory and where as it is expedient to establish the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority for aforesaid purpose and to provide for matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows:— ## CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ### 1. Short title, extent, commencement and application. (1) This Act may be called the Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Act, 2018. (2) It extends to the whole of the Islamabad Capital Territory. (3) It shall come into force at once. (4) It shall apply to all healthcare establishments in the Islamabad Capital Territory. ### 2. Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— (i) “accreditation” means systemic quality improvement process which ensures that services provided meet the notified practices; (ii) “assessor” means an expert or group of experts commissioned by the Authority or any other recognized institution or organization for assessment of quality of a healthcare establishment; (iii) “allied health professional” means a person who assists in providing services for diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, curative and rehabilitative field in health care delivery system and has qualified a prescribed course of training in an recognized institution having recognition from their respective council; (iv) “allopathic” means a system of medical practice that aims to combat disease by use of remedies, as drugs or surgery, producing effects different from or incompatible with those produced by the disease being treated; (v) “alternative medicine system” means unani, tibb, ayurveda, homoeopathic, acupuncture or any other recognized system of treatment of diseases in Pakistan; (vi) “Authority” means Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority established under section 3; (vii) “Board” means the Board of the Authority constituted under section 5; (viii) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board; (ix) “chief executive officer “means the chief executive officer of the Authority; (x) “council” means the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the Pakistan Nursing Council, the National Council for Homeopathy, the National Council for Tibb, the Pharmacy Council or such other Councils established by Federal Government to regulate various cadre of healthcare professional and notified in official Gazette under this clause; (xi) “Council for Homeopathy” means the National Council for Homeopathy established under the Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners Act, 1965 (II of 1965); (xii) “Council for Tibb” means the National Council for Tibb established under the Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners Act, 1965 (II of 1965); (xiii) “equipment” includes all electrical, electronic, mechanical, laser, scanning, x-ray, imaging, analyzing and testing machinery, equipment, device, tools, apparatus, including various utensils and related material and chemical or other substances which are used to determine the performance, functionality, disorder, ailment or any other effect on state of health of human; (xiv) “Fund” means the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority Fund established under section 37; (xv) “healthcare establishment” means any premises used or intended to be used for the provision of healthcare services, including but not limited to a hospital, teaching hospitals, surgical centers, maternity homes, nursing homes, clinics, dispensaries, dentistries, dental clinics, clinical laboratories, x-ray laboratories, diagnostic centers, ambulatories, cosmetic centers, psychiatric hospitals, burn units, psychiatric nursing home, community mental health center, hemodialysis center, dialysis center, patient rehabilitation center, slimming clinic or centre, hair transplant clinic, domiciliary care, home based services and such other healthcare or health-related premises as the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify; (xvi) “healthcare professional” means a medical practitioner and dentist registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, nurse, midwife, community midwife, female family workers or lady health visitor registered with the Pakistan Nursing Council, a tabib registered with the National Council for Tibb or homeopathic practitioner registered with the National Council for Homeopathy or pharmacist registered under the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan Act, 1967 (XI of 1967) or paramedic, allied health professional or physiotherapist, psychologist or any other person qualified and permitted by law to provide any medical, surgical treatment or other healthcare service as well as any person qualified to perform any health related test on human body or test any body fluid under a laboratory process and provide results of such test to confirm or determine any health condition or physical or mental ailment; (xvii) “healthcare services” include any medical, surgical, dental, allied health, ambulatory, patient accommodation, screening or diagnostic services, treatment of persons suffering from or believed to be suffering from any disease, injury, pain or disability of mind or body, burn or hurt treatment, wound dressing, physiotherapy, acupuncture, any service for curing or alleviating any abnormal condition of human body or mind by application of any apparatus, equipment, instrument or device or any other medical technique or method, hemodialysis treatment, preventive or promotive health treatment, services at healthcare establishments by healthcare professional; (xviii) “in-charge of a healthcare establishment” means the owner or person responsible for management of day to day affairs of a healthcare establishment which are owned and operated by private persons, natural or corporate, or Government in any premises; (xix) “inspection” means the inspection and examination of the healthcare establishment by an inspection team; (xx) “inspection team” means a team comprising more than two experts having relevant qualifications and experience constituted by the Registration Board; (xxi) “licence” means a licence issued by the Authority under this Act for the use of any premises as a healthcare establishment to deliver healthcare services and “licensed” and “licensing” shall be construed accordingly; (xxii) “licensee” means a person to whom licence has been issued under this Act; (xxiii) “Medical and Dental Council” means the Medical and Dental Council constituted under the Medical and Dental Council Ordinance, 1962 (XXXII of 1962); (xxiv) “medical negligence” means any negligence by an act or omission of a healthcare professional in performing his duty. In medical negligence cases it has to be established that— (a) there was a duty which the healthcare professional owed to the patient; (b) there was a breach of duty; (c) the breach resulted in injury to the patient; and (d) the injury resulted in causing damage or death; (xxv) “Nursing Council” means the Pakistan Nursing Council established under the Pakistan Nursing Council Act, 1973 (XXVI of 1973); (xxvi) “notified practices” mean all such healthcare services provision, best measures, practices, protocols, standing operating procedures, medical and clinical hygiene standards or specifications, quarantine standards, patient handling and care standards and principles of medical ethics developed by national or international organizations collected and published by the Authority from time to time to act as a guiding document for service provision in a healthcare establishment; (xxvii) “patient data” means the details of a patient to whom any healthcare services are offered or provided in a healthcare establishment or by a healthcare professional, as the case may be, containing details of results of diagnosis of disease or ailment, tests or examinations conducted, medicines prescribed or administered, any surgical treatment or procedures performed as well as dates of admission and discharge of the patient etc.; (xxviii) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulations made under this Act; (xxix) “quack” means any person who is rendering any healthcare services to a person without getting itself registered under respective Councils or otherwise not authorized or permitted by any law to offer or render such kind of healthcare services; (xxx) “registration” means registration under section 14; (xxxi) “regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; (xxxii) “rules” means rules made under this Act; (xxxiii) “Registration Board” means the Registration Board constituted under this Act for registration of healthcare establishments; and (xxxiv) “standards” means standards notified by the Authority for licensing of healthcare establishment. ## CHAPTER II ESTABLISHMENT, FUNCTIONS AND POWER OF THE AUTHORITY ### 3. Establishment of Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority. (1) The Federal Government shall, within one month of the commencement of this Act and by notification in the official Gazette, establish the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority which shall be responsible for implementation, administration and enforcement of this Act. (2) The Authority shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with powers to enter into contract, hold properties, sue and be sued by its name. (3) The principal office of the Authority shall be at Islamabad. ### 4. Powers and functions of the Authority. (1) The Authority shall have following powers and functions, namely:— (a) maintain register of all healthcare establishment; (b) set standards for registration and licensing of healthcare establishments for the purpose of this Act; (c) registration of all healthcare establishments, health professional and equipment and their notification in the official Gazette; (d) issuance of licence for defining scope and extent of healthcare services to be provided by a healthcare establishment; (e) enforce minimum standards of safety for patient, healthcare professional and other staff in a healthcare establishment; (f) regulate healthcare establishments in accordance with standards and notified practices; (g) prepare and notify notified practices as a guiding document for service provision in a healthcare establishments; (h) inquire and investigate into violation of any of the provisions of this Act, by any healthcare establishment; (i) ensure compliance and implementation of provisions of this Act, rules and regulations made there-under and notified standards, by arranging periodical inspections and surprise visits by inspection committee; (j) provide guidelines to the Registration Board for grant, renewal, suspension or cancellation of registrations of healthcare establishments, its healthcare professional and equipment; (k) advise the Federal Government to prescribe rates of fee for various registrations or licensing, renewals, restoration or suspension of registrations or licensing or restoration of lapsed registration or licensing; (l) issue standing orders to ensure provision of quality healthcare services by healthcare establishments; (m) organize and arrange various educative programs, seminars, conferences and meetings; (n) take steps for coordination with healthcare establishments, for implementation of various health improvement, disease prevention, curative, rehabilitative and palliative programs; (o) acquire, own, possess, transfer or lease properties for purposes of this Act; (p) to propose regulations for appointment or termination of employees of the Authority, their terms and conditions of service including the welfare of employees; (q) prepare and implement annual plans; (r) approve annual accounts, budget and estimates of income and expenditure; (s) approve appointment of bankers and auditors; (t) develop and put in place various policies and measures to ensure elimination of quackery; (u) establish committees for assistance and advice to the Authority in relation to the performance of its functions and determine the membership, remuneration of members and terms of reference of each committee; (v) subject to other provisions of this Act, prepare and issue regulations, guidelines, instructions and directives to ensure implementation of this Act and notified practices; (w) take action against violation of any provision of this Act and regulations made thereunder on complaint by an aggrieved person; (x) to collaborate with international and national institutions, organizations and companies to secure their assistance, cooperation and support for improvement of healthcare establishments for provision of healthcare services; (y) exercise any powers and perform any functions as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act on the instruction of the Federal Government; and (z) delegate any of its functions to any person on such terms and conditions as may be specified. (2) The Authority may exercise the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely;— (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) compelling the production of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; and (d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses. (3) The Authority shall not investigate or inquire into any matter subjudice before a court of competent jurisdiction on the date of the receipt of a complaint. (4) The Authority may authorize members of the staff to administer oaths and to attest various affidavits, affirmations or declarations which shall be admitted in evidence in all proceedings under this Act. ### 5. Board of the Authority. (1) The general superintendence, direction and management of affairs of the Authority and overall policy making in respect of its operations shall vest in the Board which may exercise all such powers and do all such acts, deeds and things that may be exercised or done by the Authority under this Act. (2) The Federal Government shall notify the Board of the Authority which shall consist of nine members, seven of whom shall be nominated on the recommendation of the committee constituted under this Act and the remaining two members shall be nominated by the Federal Government. (3) The Authority shall prescribe the remuneration payable to a member for attending a meeting of the Board. (4) A decision of the Board shall not be valid if decided in a meeting without quorum. ### 6. Constitution of selection committee. (1) The selection committee shall consist of the following, namely:— (a) two representatives of the Federal Government Member (b) Chief commissioner, Islamabad Member (c) one chief executive of tertiary hospital Member (d) one representative of the private sector healthcare Member establishments (e) one representative of the public sector healthcare Member establishments (f) a representative of the general practitioners Member (g) a representative of the Council for Tibb Member (h) a representative of the Council for Homeopathy Member (i) a representative of the Medical and Dental Council Member (j) a representative of the Nursing Council Member (k) a representative from reputed national civil society Member (l) a representative from patients or consumers Member association (2) The committee constituted under section (1) shall select its chairman from amongst its members. (3) The committee shall determine areas of expertise and skills required for membership of the Board and develop detailed criteria for selection accordingly. (4) The Federal Government shall nominate the members of the first selection committee and thereafter the following process shall be adopted for selection of members other than ex-officio members, namely:— (a) representative of the private healthcare establishment to be elected from amongst registered healthcare establishment; (b) healthcare establishment general practitioner to be elected from amongst registered practitioners with Authority; and (c) members under clauses (j) and (k) of sub-section (1) shall be elected in accordance with prescribed criteria. ### 7. Term of the Board and the committee members. (1) A member of the Board shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for one second term. (2) A member, other than ex-officio member, of the selection committee shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for nomination for one second term. (3) In case of a vacancy of a member of the selection committee by death, resignation or disqualification under this Act, the Federal Government shall appoint a person as member in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the remainder of the term of the member who has died, resigned or disqualified, as the case may be. The vacancy shall not be filled if remaining period thereof is less than four months. (4) If a member remains on the Board or selection committee, as the case may be, for less than eighteen months then the period shall not be counted towards term. ### 8. Disqualifications. No person shall be, or shall continue to be, the Chairperson or a member of the Board who— (a) has tendered resignation and not withdrawn it within a period of thirty days; (b) is, or at any time has been, declared as insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; (c) is found to be of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (d) is, or has at any time been, convicted of any offence which, in the opinion of the Federal Government, is an offence involving moral turpitude; (e) absents himself from three consecutive meetings of the Board, without leave of absence. ### 9. Chairperson. (1) the Chairperson of the Board shall be selected from amongst its members for a term of three years. ### 10. Functions and powers of the Board. (1) The functions and powers of the Board shall be— (a) to provide leadership and oversight, formulate policy and set strategic direction; (b) to monitor performance and achievements of the Authority through regular review; (c) approval of annual operation plans and approve annual accounts, budget and estimates of income and expenditure; (d) appropriation of Fund according to need; (e) to approve the regulations of the Authority subject to other provisions of this Act; (f) to approve annual report of the Authority; (g) to approve and appoint bankers and auditors; (h) to handle and redress any complaint about the Authority; (i) to appoint full time chief executive officer, determine his terms and conditions of service; (j) authorize the chief executive to manage the affairs of the Authority and set performance targets for him; (k) in case of complaint and non-performance, to hold responsible the chief executive officer according to terms and conditions agreed; and (l) to regulate appointment, grades, appraisal, dismissal and terms and conditions of service of employees of the Authority. (2) The Board shall establish committees for assistance and advice to the Board in relation to the performance of its functions and determine the membership, remuneration of members and terms of reference of each committee. (3) The Chairperson shall convene meetings of the Board from time to time either himself or on the request of any member in writing for reason to be specified therein. (4) The meeting of the Authority shall be presided over by the Chairperson, or in his absence, by a member to be elected by the members present at the meeting from amongst themselves. (5) Two-third of the total members shall constitute quorum for a meeting of the Board. (6) All decisions in the meeting shall be taken by majority of votes: Provided that in the case of equality of votes the Chairperson shall have a casting vote. ### 11. Delegation. The Board may, by general or special order, delegate to the Chairperson or a member or an expert, consultant, adviser or other officer of the Board or any other entity any of its functions or a part thereof under this Act subject to such conditions or restrictions as it may determine. ### 12. Chief executive officer. (1) The Board shall appoint a person to be chief executive officer of the Authority having a minimum of fifteen years of experience in hospital or public administration, public health, medicine, accounting, finance, law, regulation or other related field. (2) The chief executive officer shall, subject to the supervision and control of the Board, administer the affairs of the Authority and may exercise such powers as are delegated to him by the Board. (3) In particular, the chief executive officer may- (a) manage the administration, operations and functions of the Authority; (b) act as the principal accounting officer responsible and accountable for the management of the Authority’s funds and assets; (c) prepare and present to the Board with strategic and operational plans for its review and appraisal; (d) assist the Board in strategic thinking, planning and implementing its policies; (e) protect the financial health of the Authority; (f) act as spokesperson of the Authority; and (g) provide leadership to the senior management and direction to all staff. (2) The chief executive officer shall also act as the secretary to the Board. ### 13. Disqualifications of chief executive officer. A person shall not be appointed or hold office as chief executive officer who— (a) is a member of the Federal or a Provincial legislature, local council or local body constituted under any law or has contested last general election; (b) is employed in any capacity in the service relating to the affairs of the Federation or a Province or holds any office for which salary or other remuneration is payable out of public funds; (c) is a director, officer or employee of any healthcare establishment; (d) is an owner of, or has a share in, any healthcare establishment; (e) has been convicted of tax evasion or for an offence involving moral turpitude; or (f) is in default of payments due from him, for more than one hundred and eighty days, to any bank, financial institution, cooperative society, governmental agency, department or corporation. ## CHAPTER III REGISTRATION OF HEALTHCARE ESTABLISHMENTS ### 14. Regulation of provision of healthcare services. (1) No healthcare establishment shall render any healthcare service unless it is registered with the Registration Board under this Act subject to the terms and conditions as the Registration Board may determine on case to case basis at the time of registration and no healthcare establishment shall render any healthcare services for which it is not licensed. (2) No healthcare professional shall render healthcare services in a healthcare establishment unless he has a prior registration under respective Councils. (3) A healthcare professional shall get himself registered with the Authority for rendering services in a healthcare establishment and no healthcare professional shall render services in a field in which he is not registered with the Authority. (4) No healthcare professional shall render healthcare services in a healthcare establishment for which he is not registered with the Authority. ### 15. Establishment of a Registration Board. (1) There shall be established a Registration Board which shall he responsible for registration, renewal, suspension and cancellation of registrations of healthcare establishments, health professional and equipment. (2) The Registration Board shall comprise of the following namely:— (a) Director-General of Health Member (b) Chief Executive Officer of Islamabad Healthcare Member Regulatory Authority (c) chief executive of tertiary care hospital in Islamabad Member (d) principal of a medical college nominated by the Federal Member Government (e) a representative of private healthcare establishment Member sector nominated by the Federal Government (f) District Health Officer, Islamabad Member (3) District Health Officer Islamabad shall be the secretary of the Registration Board. (4) The chairperson of the Registration Board shall be selected from amongst its members for a period of five years. ### 16. Powers and functions of the Registration Board. (1) The Registration Board shall exercise powers and perform functions as provided hereinafter, namely:— (a) maintain and regularly update register of all healthcare establishments; (b) grant, renew, suspend, cancel or revoke any registration of healthcare establishment, subject to such terms and conditions as deemed appropriate and to vary or amend any terms and conditions thereof; (c) monitor and regulate the healthcare services quality levels and standards as may be prescribed through notified practices; (d) enquire and investigate into allegations of violation of any of the provisions of this Act, notified practices or terms and conditions of any registration by any healthcare establishment; (e) assess and collect fees and charges for registration, renewal, restoration of lapsed or expired registration as well as any inspections for registration of healthcare establishments, under this Act; (f) coordinate, liaison and supervise the exercise of various powers and discharge of various functions by the inspection committee; (g) coordinate with the Authority and submit report of its performance on quarterly basis; and (h) constitute a review committee and assign any task for resolution of any dispute in relation to report of inspection committee. (2) In the performance of its functions, the Registration Board shall take into consideration the policy, guidelines, instructions, directives and orders issued by the Authority from time to time. ## CHAPTER IV REGULATION OF HEALTHCARE ### 17. Setting standards. (1) The Board shall constitute technical committees for laying down different standards for the purpose of measuring the quality of healthcare services for registration of the healthcare establishments, healthcare professional and equipment. (2) The Board may constitute technical committees in other areas if it deemed necessary. (3) The Board may constitute policy advisory committee comprising members of such institutions in health and other related sectors as it may deem appropriate. ### 18. Establishment of inspection committee. There shall be established an inspection committee by the Registration Board which shall be responsible for conduct of pre-registration, post-registration, pre-renewal and other inspections of healthcare establishments, as and when deemed necessary or when so directed by the Registration Board or the chief executive officer. ### 19. Members of the inspection committee. (1) The inspection committee shall consist of the following, namely:— (a) head of inspection committee who shall be nominated by the Registration Board form amongst its members; (b) subject specialists of a medical college or hospital, nominated by the Registration Board according to the scope of the services of the healthcare establishment being inspected; (c) professional auditor with training and experience in hospital quality auditing; and (d) executive director of a public hospital. (2) The Registration Board shall develop a pool of experts from relevant field from which the members of an inspection team shall be chosen. ### 20. Inspection Team. (1) The Authority may, by order in writing appoint an inspection team to perform the functions and exercise the powers of the Authority for inspections under this Act, subject to such conditions and limitations as the Authority may specify in this behalf. (2) The inspection team may inspect a healthcare establishment, equipment and healthcare services provided by the healthcare establishment for grant, renewal, suspension or cancellation of registration or licensing. (3) The inspection team may inquire any case if there has been any instance or allegation of mal-administration, malpractice or failure in the provision of healthcare services against a healthcare establishment. (4) The Authority may impose a fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees upon a healthcare professional who- (a) refuses or fails, without reasonable cause, to furnish any information to the inspection team; or (b) gives any false or misleading information to the inspection team. (5) Except in the case of a prosecution for an offence under this Act, a member of the inspection team shall not be bound to give evidence in any proceedings in respect of, or to produce any document containing, any information which has been obtained from any healthcare establishment in the course of carrying out any investigation, inspection, inquiry or performing any duty or function under this Act. (6) A member of the inspection team shall not disclose any information at any forum which is contained in the medical record or which relates to the condition treatment or diagnosis of any person as may have come to his knowledge in the course of carrying out any investigation, inspection, enquiry or performing any duty or function under this Act unless allowed in writing by the Authority. ### 21. Registration. (1) An owner of existing healthcare establishment shall, within a period of ninety days of the coming into force of this Act, apply therein in accordance with this Act for registration of its health establishment, healthcare professional working therein and equipment being used therein. (2) A person seeking registration for its healthcare establishment, its healthcare professional and equipment shall make an application to the Registration Board in the prescribed form and accompanied by such particulars, documents and fee as the Authority may prescribe. · (3) The Authority shall within a period of not exceeding fourteen days of the receipt of application issue to the person a certificate of registration, if all requirement, under this Act are fulfil-led, otherwise the applicant shall be considered as having provisionally registered for a period of three months. ### 22. Licensing. (1) No healthcare establishment shall render any healthcare services unless duly licensed as such by the Authority. (2) If a healthcare establishment is not licensed under this Act, the Authority may impose a fine, which may extend to ten hundred thousand Rupees, upon the in-charge of the healthcare establishment. ### 23. Application for license. Within thirty days of the issuance of the certificate of registration or such other time as may be determined by the Authority, the healthcare establishment shall make an application, for a licence, to the Authority in the prescribed form which shall be accompanied by such particulars, documents and fees as the Authority may prescribe. ### 24. Licensing procedure. (1) The Authority shall, on receipt of an application under section 23, complete with all requisite documents, issue a provisional licence to the healthcare establishment and shall, within a period of not exceeding thirty days from the date of acceptance of the application, issue the regular licence to the healthcare establishment. (2) The Authority may, before issuing the licence, inspect the healthcare establishment which is to be licensed or cause such healthcare establishment to be inspected by an inspection team. (3) A licence issued by the Authority, under this section,— (a) shall be in such form as may be prescribed; (b) shall be valid for a period of five years; and (c) may be renewed upon expiry. ### 25. Kinds of licences. (1) Every licence of a healthcare establishment shall specify the kind of healthcare establishment for which it is issued and the purposes of the healthcare establishment. (2) A licensed healthcare establishment shall not be used for any purpose other than the purposes in respect of which the licence is issued and purposes incidental to such purposes. (3) The Authority shall maintain a register of all licensed healthcare establishments and may enter in the register any necessary details or other particulars of the healthcare establishments. ### 26. Revocation and suspension of licence. (1) The Authority may after giving an opportunity of hearing revoke a licence if the licence has been obtained by fraud or mis-representation. (2) The Authority may suspend a licence of a healthcare establishment if it is satisfied that- (a) services provided by the healthcare establishment are not meeting minimum safety standards and that the services rendered are harmful; (b) cases of medical negligence, mal-administration, malpractices have been proved against the healthcare establishment; and (c) fails to comply with instructions and directions of the Authority. (3) Where any contravention of this Act is committed by a body corporate and it is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to, any director, manger, secretary or other officer or employee of the body corporate or any person who purported to act in any such capacity he as well as the body corporate shall be liable to pay fine for such contravention. (4) Where it appears to the Authority that the circumstances of a case warrant action under any law, the Authority may refer such case to the concerned governmental authorities or law enforcement agencies for appropriate action under relevant laws. ### 27. Quality improvement. (1) The Authority shall facilitate and support healthcare establishments for continuous quality improvement. (2) The Authority shall develop and establish linkages with national and international relevant bodies or organizations for this purpose. ### 28. Public sector registration. (1) The public sector healthcare establishments shall be deem to have been registered under this Act. (2) The Federal Government shall provide list of public sector healthcare establishments with the scope and extent of services provided by each category of hospital or institution. (3) The Federal Government shall be responsible to certify that its healthcare establishments meet minimum safety standards set by the Authority. (4) The pubic sector healthcare establishments shall apply for licensing of healthcare services being rendered by them. ## CHAPTER V OFFENCES, PENALTIES, PROCEDURE, COMPLAINTS AND ENFORCEMENT ### 29. Penalties. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, the Authority may, for contravention of a provision of this Act, rules and regulations, impose penalties which may extend to ten hundred thousand Rupees keeping in view gravity of the contravention. (2) The Authority shall afford adequate opportunity of hearing to a person before imposing penalty under sub-section (1). (3) If the complaint, submitted either by an aggrieved person or a healthcare professional, is proved false, the Authority may impose penalty which may extend to two hundred thousand Rupees upon the complainant. (4) The Authority may revise the quantum of penalties under this section with the approval of the Federal Government. ### 30. Offences. (1) Whoever himself or by any other person on his behalf establishes any healthcare establishment without registration or a licence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine which may extend to one million Rupees or with both: Provided that the Board shall cause to conduct an inquiry to calculate the degree of care, damage, diligence or negligence, within a period of ninety days, by such group consisting of experts of allopathic or alternative medicine system, as the case may be. (2) Whoever obstructs an inspection in the exercise of any power conferred upon him by or under this Act or disobeys the lawful authority of any member of inspection team, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand Rupees or with both. (3) The quackery by person who does not qualify to be registered or licensed under this Act shall be non-bailable and cognizable offence punishable with seven years of imprisonment or fine which may extend to two million Rupees or with both. ### 31. Appeal. (1) An appeal may be made to the Authority against order of the Registration Board and to the Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination against order of the Authority within thirty days from the date of communication of the order. (2) An appeal may be made by the person who is aggrieved by the— (a) refusal of the Authority to issue or renew a licence; (b) decision of the Authority to suspend or revoke a licence; (c) order of closing down of a healthcare establishment or making improvements in the healthcare establishment; (d) order relating to equipment, apparatus, appliances or other things at a healthcare establishment; or (e) imposition of fine by the Authority. ### 32. Cognizance by court. (1) Save as provided in this Act, no court other than the Court of Sessions assume jurisdiction under this Act unless a complaint in writing is filled before the aforesaid court by the Authority? ### 33. Complaints. (1) The Authority shall investigate the complaints relating to healthcare establishment, healthcare professional, healthcare services and medical negligence. (2) The Authority shall define- (a) kinds of complaints; (b) categories or different kinds of medical negligence; and (c) mal-administration, malpractice and failure in provision of healthcare services. (3) The recognized and known complications of a medical or surgical treatment are not considered as medical negligence. ### 34. Procedure of investigation. (1) The Authority shall prescribe the procedure for the conduct of investigation to be carried out by the Authority under this Act. (2) An aggrieved person may, within sixty days from the date of knowledge of the cause of action, file a complaint against a healthcare professional or healthcare establishment by submitting an application in writing supported by an affidavit of the aggrieved person. (3) The Authority shall not entertain an anonymous or pseudonymous complaint against a healthcare professional or healthcare establishment. ### 35. Directions as to apparatus, appliance, equipment or products. Where, in the opinion of the inspection team, the use of any apparatus, appliance, equipment, instrument, product, goods or item or carrying out of any practice or procedure in a healthcare establishment is dangerous or detrimental to any person therein or otherwise unsuitable for the purpose for which it is used or carried out, he shall immediately report the matter in writing to the Authority along-with the necessary details. On receipt of report the Authority may act in accordance with the provisions of this Act. ### 36. Action done in good faith. No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the authority, board, technical advisory committee, chief executive officer, officers, inspection teams, advisers, consultants or agents of the Authority for anything done in good faith in the execution or purported execution of this Act, rules or regulations made thereunder. ## CHAPTER VI EMPLOYEES, FUND, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTS ### 37. The Fund. (1) There shall be established a fund to be known as the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Fund, which shall vest in the Authority and shall be utilized by the Authority to meet charges and expenses in connection with the affairs of the Authority. (2) The Fund shall consist of— (a) such sums as the Government may grant by way of seed money or otherwise; (b) donations from domestic and international donor agencies and other institutions; (c) grants of money and sums borrowed or raised by the Authority for the purposes of meeting any of its obligations or discharging any of its duties; (d) fees, penalties, fines or other charges imposed under this Act; and (e) all other sums which may in any manner become payable to or vested in the Authority in respect of any matter incidental to the exercise of its functions and powers. ### 38. Budget. (1) Within ninety days of its establishment, the Authority shall prepare and submit to the Board for its approval, a budget for the period up to and including the end of the then current financial year and thereafter it shall, not later than thirty days before the expiry of each financial year, submit to the Board for approval a budget for the next financial year in accordance with prescribed procedures and shall maintain complete and accurate books of accounts of its actual expenses and receipts and the funds. (2) The budget prepared by the Authority shall be reviewed by a budget committee consisting of one representative each of the Authority, the Federal Government and the private sector nominated by the Federal Government. The private sector nominee shall not have any conflict of interest in the Authority’s oversight of regulated activities. The budget committee shall ensure that the Authority complies with all requirements of this Act. The budget committee shall take its decisions by simple majority of its members. (3) No expenditure shall be made for which provision has not been made in any approved budget except if made from any previously approved contingency funds, unless further approval is sought and obtained from the Board. ### 39. Bank accounts. The Authority may open and maintain it’s accounts in Rupees or in any foreign currency at such scheduled banks as it may from time to time determine. ### 40. Annual report, accounts and audit. (1) Within ninety days from the end of each financial year, the Authority shall, in consultation with the Board, cause a report to be prepared on the activities of the Authority including investigations and enquiries made by the authority under this Act during that financial year and release to the public and simultaneously present a copy of the report to the Federal Government. (2) The Authority shall cause proper accounts to be kept and shall as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year cause to be prepared for that financial year a statement of accounts of the Authority which shall include a balance sheet and an account of income and expenditure. (3) The Authority shall cause the statement of accounts to be audited by auditors, appointed by the Authority with the approval of the Federal Government, who shall be a firm of chartered accountants. Any casual vacancy in the office of auditor appointed under this section may be filled in by the Authority. (4) The auditors shall make a report to the Federal Government, upon the annual balance sheet and accounts and in any such report they shall state whether in their opinion the balance sheet is a full and fair balance sheet containing all necessary particulars and properly drawn up so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the affairs of the Authority and, in case they have called for any explanation or information from the Authority, whether it has been given and whether it is satisfactory. (5) The Federal Government may if it deems fit also require the accounts of the Authority for any financial year to be audited by the Auditor General of Pakistan. (6) The Board shall, within one hundred and twenty days of the end of each financial year, together with the annual report of the Authority send a copy of the statement of accounts of the Authority certified by the auditors and a copy of the auditors’ report to the Federal Government which shall cause them to be published in the official Gazette. ### 41. Investments. (1) Subject to sub-section (2), the Authority may, in so far as its moneys are not required to be expended under this Act, invest the surplus moneys in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) The Authority shall not invest its money in listed securities or any derivative thereof whether listed or not. ## CHAPTER VII MISCELLANEOUS ### 42. Employees of the Authority. To carry out the purposes of this Act, the Authority may, from time to time, engage such experts, consultants, consultancy firms, advisers and other officers and staff members on such terms and conditions as it may prescribe. ### 43. Public servant. The Chairperson members and all other employees of the Authority shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). ### 44. Executive authorities to assist the Authority. All executive authorities and law enforcement agencies of the Federal Government shall act in aid of the Authority. ### 45. Recovery of fines and other dues as arrears of land revenue. The Authority may recover the fines imposed under this Act or other dues recoverable under the this as arrears of land revenue. ### 46. Rules. (1) The Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for giving effect to the provisions of this Act. (2) The power to make rules conferred by this section shall be subject to the condition of previous publication and, before making any rule, the draft thereof shall be published in the official Gazette for eliciting public opinion thereon within a period of not less than fifteen days from the date of publication. ### 47. Regulations. (1) The Authority may, with pervious sanction of the Federal Government, make regulations for the following purposes, namely:— (a) the management of the property of the Authority, its maintenance and audit of its accounts; (b) summoning and holding of meetings of the Authority and places where such meetings are to be held, the conduct of business thereof and the number of members necessary to constitute a quorum; (c) the powers and duties of the chief executive officer; (d) the mode of appointment of the Registration Board and inspection committees, the summoning and holding of meetings thereof for conduct of business of such committees; (e) the appointment, powers, duties and procedure of inspection team; (f) the procedure for maintenance, compilation and publication of the register, list of healthcare establishment and their minimum requirement and the fees to be charged for registration and licensing; (g) the procedure for any investigation under section 34; (h) Prescribing a minimum standard of grant, renewal, suspension or cancellation of registration of healthcare establishment; (i) prescribing a minimum standard of grant, renewal, suspension or cancellation of licence of healthcare establishment; (j) prescribing a minimum standard of patient and health staff safety in healthcare establishment; (k) prescribing a minimum standard of quality assurance in healthcare establishment; (l) the forms, fees and registers for the purposes of this Act; (m) the data of patients treated in a healthcare establishment; (n) the records of the staff of a healthcare establishment; (o) fix penalties according to offence; and (p) the regulation and control of prices of the healthcare services. (2) The power to make regulations conferred by this section shall be subject to the condition of previous publication and, before making any regulations, the draft thereof shall be published in the official Gazette, and two newspapers of wide circulation and on the website of the Authority, for eliciting public opinion thereon within a period of not less than fifteen days from the date of publication. ### 48. Failure to comply with the decision of the Authority. Any person who, in the opinion of the Authority, fails to comply with the final decision or recommendation of the Authority, the Authority may impose a fine which may extend to ten hundred thousand Rupees on such person. ### 49. Removal of difficulties. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this Act, the Federal Government may make such order not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to it to be necessary for the purpose of removing such difficulty. ### 50. Incentives. (1) Healthcare establishments already registered with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or Joint Commission International (JCI) or any other such organization shall be registered with the Board without inspection for a period till these establishments remain registered with such organizations. (2) Healthcare establishments registered with the Board, healthcare professional of such healthcare establishments shall be protected under immunity clause of this Act. ### 51. Overriding effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law, under the law making authority of the Federal Government, the provisions of this Act shall have an overriding effect and the provisions of any such law to the extent of inconsistency to this Act shall cease to have effect. ## Accuracy notice This digital version of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Act, 2018 is provided as-is. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and avoid error, no warranty is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Consult the official sources or Gazette when legal accuracy is material.