The Sindh Protection of Communal Properties of Minorities Act, 2013

An Act to protect the properties of minority communities of the Province of Sindh meant for their communal use.

WHEREAS in view of prevailing circumstances, it is the demand of the Minority Communities to protect their properties meant for their communal use;

1. Short title, extent, commencement and application.
(1) This Act may be called the Sindh Protection of Communal Properties of Minorities Act, 2013.

(2) It extend to the whole of Province of Sindh,

(3) It shall come into force at once.

(4) It shall apply to properties belonging to the minority communities of Sindh meant for their communal use.

2. Definitions.
In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context:-

(a) “Commission” means the Provincial Commission for Minorities;

(b) “Property” means place of worship, monasteries, seminaries, vicarages, dharamsalas, goashalas, burial places, community centers, social welfare, education, health and recreational Institutions meant for communal use of minority communities and includes side buildings, vacant places, lands, residential places, offices annexed to the said properties.

3. Ban on sale or transfer of Minorities Properties.
(1) No property of a minority community meant for its communal use shall be bought, sold or transferred by any person without NOC from the Provincial Government.

(2)

Provided that nothing contained herein shall apply to a properties bought, sold or transferred for a Housing Scheme, meant for a minority community, approved by a Provincial Government.

(3) The NOC referred to in sub-section (1) may be given by the Provincial Government on the recommendation of the Provincial Commission for Minorities.

4. Act not apply to evacuee trust properties.
Nothing in this Act shall apply to the evacuee trust properties forming party of Trust and vested in Provincial Government.

5. Punishment.
Whoever buys, sells or transfers any property belonging to a minority community meant for its communal use in violation of section 3, shall be punishable with Imprisonment of either description which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than one hundred thousand rupees and the sale or transfer transaction shall be of no legal effect.

6. Removal of difficulties.
If any difficulty arises in giving effect to may of the provision of this Act, the Provincial Government may make such order not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to be necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty.

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