Dangerous Cargoes Act, 1953

This 1953 Act gives authorities special powers to protect Pakistan's ports from fire and explosion risks posed by dangerous cargoes. Section 2 (as amended) defines dangerous cargoes broadly to include explosives and ammunition on the official government list, petroleum with a flashing point below 150°F, goods classified as dangerous under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code or government stowage instructions, and any other cargo the Federal Government declares dangerous by notification because it risks fire or explosion.

Section 3 lets the Federal Government make orders for port safety generally, and section 4 lets it make detailed rules — for example, setting up and equipping port fire brigades, defining officials' powers and duties, and letting the Fortress Commander mobilise government or private services during an emergency.

Sections 5 to 7 build a chain of command for fire or explosion emergencies: the Fortress Commander declares an emergency on the advice of the Chief of the Naval Staff, who can then order safety measures for vessels in port, direct a ship's owner or master to fight a fire, or — in a serious case — order a burning or damaged vessel to be scuttled or beached if it endangers other vessels or blocks the port; these powers can be delegated to specific officers, such as the Commodore-in-Charge in peacetime.

Section 8 lets the Deputy Conservator of a port order up to three-quarters of a non-tanker vessel's crew to help fight a port fire. Section 8A allows appointment of a Technical Adviser on Dangerous Cargoes to advise government on port safety matters. Section 9 sets the penalty for violating the Act, its rules or any order made under it at imprisonment up to two years, a fine up to five thousand rupees, or both, and section 10 lets police arrest offenders without a warrant. Sections 11 and 12 bar courts from questioning orders made under the Act and protect officials and government from being sued for good-faith actions. This is an older law (amended in 1954 and 1974), so its penalty figures should be checked against current amounts.