Pakistan Study Centres Act, 1976

This 1976 Act provides for establishing Pakistan Study Centres within universities, and a National Institute of Pakistan Studies at the University of Islamabad, to study the languages, literature, social structure, customs, attitudes and motivations of people across Pakistan's regions, with the stated aim of promoting national cohesion. Section 3 lets the Federal Government establish a Centre in a named university, and the Institute at the University of Islamabad, by Gazette notification.

Section 4 sets a Centre's functions: studying regional culture and society, running degree programmes from undergraduate through postgraduate level, cooperating with other research bodies, arranging conferences and seminars, and researching whatever subject the Federal Government assigns in consultation with the host university. Section 5 gives the Institute similar but higher-level functions, including M.A., M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes and high-level research.

Section 6 places each Centre under a Board of Governors chaired by the university's Vice-Chancellor, including representatives of the University Grants Commission, the Pakistan History Commission, the Ministry of Education, the National Educational Council, the Faculty Dean, several nominated experts, and the Centre's Director; the Board sets academic programmes, admission rules, fellowships, staffing, and controls the funds, and must meet at least twice a year, no more than twelve months apart. Section 7 covers the Director's appointment by the Federal Government, and Section 9 sets out the Centre's funding sources: government grants, donations, and fee income. Section 10 requires annual audited accounts and activity reports, and Section 10A, added later, lets the government transfer a Centre to a university or Provincial Government.