National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (Administration) Ordinance, 1979

This Ordinance restructured the governance of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi, which had originally been set up in 1963 and run as a trust. Section 4 transfers all the powers of the old Board of Trustees to a new "Governing Body," and Section 5 formally incorporates the Institute as a body corporate -- with perpetual succession, a common seal, and the ability to own property, sue, and be sued -- headquartered in Karachi.

Section 6 lists the Institute's functions: providing modern treatment for cardiovascular diseases, acquiring the facilities needed for investigation and treatment, cooperating with international agencies (with Federal Government approval), carrying out research, training medical students and nurses, and developing into a centre of excellence for cardiac care.

Section 7 sets out the Governing Body's membership, chaired by the Minister for Health, Social Welfare and Population, with the Secretary of that Ministry as Vice-Chairman, the Director General of Health, the Executive Director (as Member/Secretary), a nominee of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, two Federal Government nominees, a nominee of the Auditor-General, and social-worker or elected-representative members connected to Karachi/Sindh. Section 9 fixes the term of non-ex-officio members at three years. Section 10 details the Executive Director's role as the Institute's Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, responsible for staffing (up to Grade 17), budgeting, payments, correspondence, and implementing Governing Body decisions.

Financial matters are covered in Sections 13-14: the Institute's funds come from Federal Government grants, donations, investment income, foreign aid/loans, and its Trust Fund; accounts must be audited by chartered accountants in consultation with the Auditor-General of Pakistan. Sections 18-19 protect the terms and conditions of government servants transferred to the Institute (they remain government servants on deputation, keep their pension entitlements, and cannot be treated less favourably), and set out equivalent protections for other Institute staff. Section 17 exempts the Institute from the Industrial Relations Ordinance, 1969. Section 20 allows officers qualified to practise medicine to engage in private practice, subject to regulations.

As an ordinance from 1979 establishing an institutional framework rather than public-facing rights or obligations, it is less likely to carry outdated monetary figures, but institutional details such as grade thresholds, board composition, or specific ministry names may have changed since enactment and should be checked against current NICVD governance arrangements.