Foreign Cultural Associations (Regulation of Functioning) Act, 1975

This 1975 Act regulates associations formed to promote cultural and friendly relations between Pakistan and a foreign country. Section 3 says no such association can be formed to spread ideas or act in ways prejudicial to Pakistan's ideology, integrity, security, constitution, system of government, or its relations with any foreign country. Each association may have only one head office, with a branch elsewhere allowed only with the Federal Government's prior written permission, its President must be approved by the Federal Government, and every association (new or existing) must formally register with the government.

Section 4 requires associations to keep audited accounts, deposit all money into a designated bank account, and report their accounts and affairs to the government on request; authorised government officers can inspect their books, cash and property at any reasonable time. Sections 5 and 6 govern dissolution — either sixty percent of members can apply for it, or the Federal Government can order it if the association breaches its constitution or section 3, after giving it a hearing; once dissolved, the association's activities are limited to winding up its affairs.

Sections 7 to 10 place restrictions on individuals: government servants cannot join such an association without prior written permission; members cannot personally profit from their membership; the association cannot accept foreign financial assistance without government permission; and it cannot contribute money toward any election, whether for the National Assembly, Senate, Provincial Assembly or any political office.

Section 11 bans destroying or concealing the association's required books and records, and section 12 requires any political propaganda distributed by the association or its members to be clearly labelled and, within forty-eight hours, filed with the Federal Government along with details of where and how it was circulated — with political propaganda defined broadly to cover material meant to influence opinion on foreign or Pakistani government policy, or to promote racial, religious or social division or violent overthrow of the government. Section 13 sets penalties for violations, membership in an unlawfully formed association, or false statements at imprisonment up to two years, a fine up to ten thousand rupees, or both, prosecutable only on the Federal Government's complaint.