Area Study centres Act, 1975

This Act provides for setting up Area Study Centres within Pakistani universities, dedicated to researching contemporary societies that affect Pakistan's national interests. Section 3 lets the Federal Government establish a Centre at a named university by Gazette notification.

Section 4 sets out each Centre's functions: high-level teaching and research, training researchers, running M.Phil, Ph.D. and other degree programmes matching university standards, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation with other institutions, organising conferences and seminars, and conducting research in whatever particular field the Federal Government assigns to it after consulting the university.

Section 5 places each Centre under a Board of Governors chaired by the university's Vice-Chancellor, and including representatives of the University Grants Commission, the Pakistan History Commission, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education, the university's Dean, two subject experts nominated by the Federal Government, nominees of the university's Syndicate and Academic Council, and the Centre's Director. The Board approves academic programmes, sets admission rules, creates fellowships, creates or abolishes posts, appoints teachers, and controls the Centre's funds, and must meet at least twice a year.

Section 6 provides for a Director, appointed by the Federal Government on the Commission's recommendation, who serves as the Centre's academic and executive head and Board secretary. Section 8 funds each Centre through federal and provincial grants, donations, and fee income. Section 9 requires annual audited accounts to be submitted to the Federal Government through the Commission, along with an activity report. A later-inserted Section 9A lets the Federal Government transfer a Centre to a university or provincial government by order.

This Act has been in force since 1975 with at least one amendment (in 2002 adding the power to transfer centres), and remains the governing framework for Pakistan's university-based Area Study Centres.