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The representational image shows the Punjab Assembly session in progress. —Online/File
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LAHORE: The Punjab government has finalized a draft law for the establishment of a legal authority throughout the province with tourism, cultural assets, and heritage management rules and development.
The proposed legislation titled “Punjab Tourism, Culture and Heritage Authority Act 2024” is considered to be the formation of a corporate body which will operate under the administrative supervision of the provincial government and will work with a degree of institutional sovereignty.
According to the draft, a copy of which is available with news, the authority will work as a fundamental institution responsible for forming tourism policy, announcing a safe zone, organizing environmental tourism and religious sites, integrating international department measures and documenting concrete and inherited heritage. The bill is yet to be presented to the Punjab Assembly.
Under the proposed framework, Punjab Tourism, Culture and Heritage Authority (PTCHA) will be headed by the Chief Minister or a nominated candidate. Its membership will include relevant departments such as finance, planning, environment, local government, and secretaries, as well as four members of the Provincial Assembly and four members of the private sector, who have specialized in tourism or heritage management.
The authority will have the legal capacity to raise funds, lease state property or manage it, and to enter service -level contracts with public and private entities. It will also be given the option of developing a code of conduct for tourism service providers, launching public awareness campaigns, and maintaining a dedicated database and website for tourist information and feedback.
The draft law includes provisions for the announcement of specific tourist areas and safe zones, which are subject to harmony with local governments. It also allows the authority to issue guidelines for protection work, remove encroachments in designated areas, and initiate proceedings in unauthorized occupation cases in government -administered sites. The proposed structure will be managed by a Director General who was appointed by the Chief Minister, who will serve as Principal Executive Officer and Accounting Head. The Director General will be responsible for the daily management of the authority and will have the option of appointing or removing the employees according to the rules to prepare it under the Act.
A separate fund is known as Punjab Tourism, Culture and Heritage Fund, proposed for the financial works of the authority. The fund will include income earned by government grants, institutional donations, fines, services, and other legitimate equipment, including the issuance of government approval, including the issuance of securities.
The draft also includes provisions for implementation. People who violate this act, including the provision of incorrect or misleading information, cannot be imprisoned or fined for six months or a fine of Rs 500,000. Crime will be guaranteed and subject to summary trials by the first class magistrate. Authority can also combine crime in specific cases.
The audit and surveillance procedures include annual performance reports that should be presented to the government and put it before the provincial assembly. Authority accounts will be subject to audit by both Auditor General Pakistan and an independent chartered accounting firm. A performance audit, which is done at least once a year by the provincial government, is also mandatory in the bill.
The proposed legislation is a huge clause that has taken over other laws in the form of conflicts. It also allows the authority to prepare rules and get relief from other departments, which will need to be complied with unless it is justified in writing. The draft law includes provisions for the announcement of specific tourist areas and safe zones, which are subject to harmony with local governments. It also allows the authority to issue guidelines for protection work, remove encroachments in the designated areas, and initiate proceedings in unauthorized occupation cases at government -administered locations.
The draft statement and reasons said that the purpose of the law is to promote, promote, development and protection of the province’s tourism and cultural sectors, while enabled the integrated administrative approach.
It remains to be seen when the government plans to introduce the draft to consider regular legislation.
