The Antiquities Act, 1975.

Current legal status not independently verified. Source: Pakistan Code (single official PDF, 2026-08-21). The text below is the official Pakistan Code text as retrieved; whether it is still in force, or has since been amended or repealed, has not been independently checked.

WHEREAS it is expedient to repeal and re­enact the law relating to the preservation and protection of antiquities and to provide for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows:—

• Section 1: Short title, extent and commencement
• Section 2: Definitions
• Section 3: Advisory Committee
• Section 4: Dispute as to whether any product etc., is an antiquity
• Section 5: Custody, preservation etc., of certain antiquities
• Section 5A: 3[5A Accidental discovery of antiquity to be reported to 2[Director­General]
• Section 6: Power of entry, inspection, etc
• Section 7: Acquisition of land containing antiquities
• Section 8: Purchase, taking lease, etc., of antiquity. (1) The 1[Director General] may, with the
• Section 9: Right of pre‑emption in case of a sale of antiquity
• Section 10: Declaration of protected antiquities
• Section 11: Representation against declaration of protected antiquities
• Section 12: The guardianship of antiquity by agreement
• Section 13: Purchasers at certain sales and persons claiming through owner bound by agreement
• Section 13A: Ownership of buried antiquities. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other
• Section 14: Application of endowment for maintenance and preservation of antiquity
• Section 15: Compulsory acquisition of protected Immovable antiquity
• Section 16: Compulsory acquisition of movable antiquities
• Section 17: Protection of place of worship from misuse, etc
• Section 18: Restriction on use of protected immovable antiquity . A protected immovable antiquity
• Section 19: Prohibition of destruction, damage, etc., of protec ted antiquities
• Section 20: Restriction on repairs, renovation, etc., of protected immovable an tiquity
• Section 21: Direction to the owner to take measures for preservation of antiquity
• Section 22: Execution of development schemes and new constructions in proximity to immovable
• Section 23: Prohibition of bill posting, neon signs, other kinds of advertisements, etc
• Section 24: Penalty for counterfeiting, etc., of antiquity
• Section 25: Dealing in antiquities
• Section 26: Export of antiquities
• Section 27: Traffic in movable antiquities
• Section 28: Regulation of mining, quarrying etc
• Section 29: Prohibition of archaeological excavation or e xploration without licence
• Section 30: Prohibition of making copies of protected antiquities without licence
• Section 31: Right of access to protected immovable antiquities
• Section 32: Penalty. A contravention of any provision of this Act or the rules shall, where no
• Section 33: Jurisdiction to try offence
• Section 34: Power to arrest without warrant
• Section 35: Confiscated antiquities to be made over to 3[Director General]
• Section 36: Indemnity
• Section 37: Power to make rules
• Section 38: [Repeal] Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981