Pakistan Library and Information Council: A Proposal

Abstract

The aim of this chapter was to propose a Pakistan Library and Information Council (PLIC) to regulate the LIS profession and to draft the Act of the proposed PLIC. Acts of councils of other professions in Pakistan were studied for this purpose. Websites of ALA, CILIP, and ALIA were also consulted to get the idea of the working of professional bodies in the field of LIS. The proposed PLIC will be a statutory professional body set up under an Act of parliament. It will register the professionals and will establish code of conduct for their members. The council will be responsible for accreditation of professional training institutions. It will also devise and maintain standards for the professional organizations. A draft of Act of proposed PLIC is presented as an Appendix to this study for suggestions from LIS experts. It is recommended that a Committee may be formulated to review the draft before presenting it to the competent authorities.

Full text

Adeyinka Tella
University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Abdulwahab O. Issa
University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Library and Information
Science in Developing
Countries:
Contemporary Issues

Library and information science in developing countries : contemporary issues
/ A. Tella and A.O. Issa, editors.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary: “This book explores the relationship between global technology
development and the impact of new technologies on library practice, library
education, and information science”--Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-61350-335-5 (hardcover) -- ISBN 978-1-61350-336-2 (ebook) -- ISBN
978-1-61350-337-9 (print & perpetual access) 1. Library science--Developing
countries. 2. Information science--Developing countries. 3. Libraries--
Developing countries. 4. Library education--Developing countries. I. Tella,
A. (Adeyinka), 1972- II. Issa, A. O. (Abdulwahaab Olanrewaju), 1967-
Z665.2.D44L58 2012
020.9172’4--dc23
2011039894
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Chapter 2
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-335-5.ch002
INTRODUCTION
The history of library education in Pakistan dates
back to 1915, when a training course in library
science was started by Asa Don Dickinson, an
American Librarian, in the University of the Pun-
jab. This was considered to be the second library
school in the world, first being the “Columbia
School of Library Economy” founded by Melvil
Dewey in 1884. Dickinson was a student of Mel-
vil Dewey. University of Karachi was the first,
which started master level education in library
science after the independence of Pakistan in 1947
Midrar Ullah
National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan
Khalid Mahmood
University of the Punjab, Pakistan
Pakistan Library and
Information Council:
A Proposal
ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter was to propose a Pakistan Library and Information Council (PLIC) to regulate
the LIS profession and to draft the Act of the proposed PLIC. Acts of councils of other professions in
Pakistan were studied for this purpose. Websites of ALA, CILIP, and ALIA were also consulted to get
the idea of the working of professional bodies in the eld of LIS. The proposed PLIC will be a statutory
professional body set up under an Act of parliament. It will register the professionals and will establish
code of conduct for their members. The council will be responsible for accreditation of professional
training institutions. It will also devise and maintain standards for the professional organizations. A
draft of Act of proposed PLIC is presented as an Appendix to this study for suggestions from LIS experts.
It is recommended that a Committee may be formulated to review the draft before presenting it to the
competent authorities.

12
Pakistan Library and Information Council
(Khurshid, 1992). Now 10 universities are offering
master degree in Library and Information Science
(LIS). Four universities are also offering research
programs, i.e., M.Phil and PhD (Ahmed, 2007).
It has been estimated that these universities are
producing 300-350 graduates every year (Ameen,
2006). The total number of LIS professionals in
Pakistan is not known as no such body exists to
register the professionals in this field.
If Pakistani libraries are to continue to survive,
grow and prosper, they must have well educated
leadership. For their informational role in society,
librarians must be educated in challenging and
imaginative programs. Well educated librarians
can be produced only by LIS departments of high
quality. In order to assure that each Pakistani
educational program meets modern standards
of excellence, an evaluation and accreditation
program must be established and carried out suc-
cessfully (Harvey, 1971).
AIM
The aim of this chapter was to propose Pakistan
Library and Information Council (PLIC) to
regulate the Library and Information Science
(LIS) profession and to present a draft Act of the
proposed PLIC.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Educational accreditation is the process, which
provides independent evaluation of the integrity
and competence of the educational institutions
according to the requirement of the applicable
standards. According to Wikipedia (2009) the edu-
cation accreditation “is a type of quality assurance
process under which services and operations of an
educational institution or program are evaluated
by an external body to determine if applicable
standards are met.” Accreditation is necessary to
improve the quality of education, training and ser-
vices. It builds confidence of employers, enhances
the credibility of the organization and promotes
quality culture. It also ensures through regular
surveillance the continuous improvement in the
standard of education and keeps the curriculum
up to date according to the needs and demands of
the market. Degrees received from unaccredited
organizations are not acceptable for financial aid,
civil service or other employment.
In the developed countries, i.e., USA, Canada,
Australia and UK following library associations
are responsible for the library education standards
and accreditation of LIS schools:
1. American Library Association (ALA)
2. Australian Library and Information
Association (ALIA)
3. Chartered Institute of Library and Information
Professionals (CILIP)
The Council of the American Library Asso-
ciation (ALA) has designated the Committee on
Accreditation “to be responsible for the execution
of the accreditation program of the ALA and to
develop and formulate standards of education.”
This committee has prepared standards known as
“Standards for accreditation of Master’s programs
in library and information studies” (ALA, 2008).
Education and Training Section of the Inter-
national Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions (IFLA) has formulated “Guidelines
for professional library/information educational
program.” These guidelines were approved by
IFLA’s Professional Board in December 2000
and revised in 2003 (IFLA, 2009). To promote
and improve the services provided by all kinds
of library and information agencies ALIA has
prepared standards “The library and information
sectors: Core knowledge, skills and attributes.”
CILIP does not have a separate accreditation stan-
dard, but specified the accreditation criteria in its
“CILIP Accreditation instrument: Procedures for
the accreditation of courses” (Enser, 2002; CILIP,
2005). Leonhardt (n.d.) mentions that American

13
Pakistan Library and Information Council
Library Association (ALA) has two committees
with responsibility for library education, the
Committee on Education and the Committee on
Accreditation (COA). The Committee on Edu-
cation has the responsibility for developing and
recommending the Association’s policies related
to the relevance and type of education necessary to
improve current and future library and information
services. The COA is responsible for the execu-
tion of the accreditation program of ALA, and to
develop and formulate standards of education for
library and information studies for approval of
the Council. Its members include practitioners,
educators, and members of the public. Sixty one
LIS programs in the USA, Canada and Puerto
Rico are currently accredited by ALA.
LIS professionals in Pakistan, other Muslim
countries and rest of the Asian countries have been
insisting their respective governments to pass an
Act that should make provision for establishing a
statutory professional body (council) for the regu-
larization of LIS education and practice. Rehman
(2000) surveyed 248 top and middle managers in
the largest library and information organizations in
Malaysia. He reported that many respondents held
view that the national professional bodies needed
to assume an enhanced role such as assuming the
role of an accrediting agency, and ensuring wider
and more active participation of professionals in
the activities of associations. Sarkhel (2006) was of
the view that the Government of India should pass
an Act that should make provision for establish-
ing a statutory Library and Information Science
council of India (LISCI). He also suggested that
this council should function as a central agency to
provide guidelines and standards in LIS education
and practice in India.
Harvey (1971) suggested the Library Education
Evaluation, Licensing, and Accreditation program
adapted from documents prepared by the American
Library Association and other accrediting groups
as well as from policies and procedures already
being used. The Tehran Book Processing Centre
executive committee approved these library
education standards in the spring, 1971. It was
one of first sets of library education standards
produced and adopted outside the USA. Rehman
(2007) investigated the evaluation practice of the
eight LIS education programs in the six member
nations of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council),
i.e., Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait,
Qatar, Muscat and Bahrain. Two modes of evalu-
ation identified by the author were self study and
external reviewers. Five programs had conducted
the self study during 2000 to 2005. Five of them
also had used an external expert for review. All
the respondents responded affirmatively to the
question whether the respondent considered ac-
creditation desirable. Seven respondents marked
that a regional professional body such as Special
Libraries Association/Arabian Gulf Chapter or a
new body in the region be considered appropriate
for accrediting LIS programs.
Khoo et al (2003) examined some of the issues
involved in developing accreditation standards
and procedures for LIS professional education
program in Southeast Asia. The authors discussed
four major aspects/activities dialogue, self evalu-
ation, documentation and external review in the
accreditation process. They concluded that an
accreditation scheme should be developed and
accepted by LIS schools in the region, extensive
dialogue among the LIS schools needed to take
place to draft the accreditation standards and pro-
cedures. They supported the proposed Congress
of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSOL) Special
Committee on Accreditation with representatives
from LIS schools, national libraries, professional
associations, LIS practitioners, etc.
There is large disparity in the quality of LIS
education imparted by various universities. To
achieve academic excellence, there is a need that
standards and norms for LIS education and practice
should be set by a professional body and thereafter
adherence to them may be made mandatory. It
has now become imperative to establish a coun-
cil (external agency) at the national level which
can undertake the work of accreditation of LIS

14
Pakistan Library and Information Council
education and regularization of LIS profession in
Pakistan, as is the practice in certain other profes-
sions like medical sciences, engineering, nursing,
law, veterinary sciences, etc. The government of
Pakistan should pass an Act that should make
provision for establishing a statutory Pakistan
Library and Information Council (PLIC) and it
should function as a central agency to provide
guidelines and standards in LIS education and
practice.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
ASSOCIATION AND COUNCIL
The association is suppose to provide various
opportunities to its community for personal de-
velopment, publishing, meeting and lobbying for
the development of the profession. Association
needs to deal with various issues hindering the
development of the profession and create a net-
work by bringing together members community
at the association platform for sharing common
considerations such as the Pakistan Library As-
sociation, Pakistan Medical Association, Hong
Kong Library Association, etc (Jawwad, Ameen
& Ahmed, 2008). On the other hand, a council is a
statutory professional body set up under an Act of
parliament to regulate the profession. It registers
professionals and establishes code of conduct for
its members. The council is also responsible for
accreditation of professional training institutions.
It also devises and maintains standards for the
professional organizations. Pakistan Medical and
Dental Council, Pakistan Engineering Council,
Pakistan Nursing Council are the examples of
councils in Pakistan. In USA, UK and Australia
their respective library associations i.e. American
Library Association (ALA), Chartered Institute of
Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
(previously known as Library Association) and
Australian Library and Information Association
(ALIA) are playing dual role of association and
council.
PROFESSIONAL COUNCILS
IN PAKISTAN
Different councils had been established in Paki-
stan under acts of the parliament to regulate their
respective professions. These are working very
effectively in Pakistan. Following are the existing
councils in Pakistan.
1. Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)
2. Pakistan Bar Council (PBC)
3. Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC)
4. Pakistan Council for Architects and Town
Planners (PCATP)
5. Pakistan Pharmacy Council (PCP)
6. Pakistan Medical & Veterinary Council
(PVMC)
7. Pakistan National Accreditation Council
8. Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC)
The Higher Education Commission (HEC)
of Pakistan can also set up national and regional
councils to carry out accreditation of institutions
including their departments, facilities and disci-
plines by giving them appropriate ratings. Fol-
lowing are the councils set up by the HEC, as the
councils for these professions did not exist earlier.
1. National Computing Education Accreditation
Council (NCEAC)
2. National Agricultural Education
Accreditation Council (NAEAC)
3. Accreditation Council for Teachers
Education (ACTE)
4. Pakistan Business Education Accreditation
Council (PBEAC)
However, no council for Library and Informa-
tion Science (LIS) exists in Pakistan.

15
Pakistan Library and Information Council
PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED PLIC
The proposed Pakistan Library and Information
Council (PLIC) will be a statutory body, consti-
tuted under the Act of parliament, to regulate the
library and information science profession in the
country such that it shall function as key driving
force for achieving rapid and sustainable growth
in all national, economic and social fields. The
council will maintain realistic and internationally
relevant standards of professional competence
and ethics for LIS professionals and will devise
standards for different types of libraries and infor-
mation centers. It will register library and infor-
mation professionals and will give accreditation
to library and information science programs run
by universities/institutions. It will also ensure and
manage continuing professional development. It
will assist the Federal Government as think tank
and will safeguard the interest of its members.
PLIC will interact with the Government, both at
the Federal and Provincial level by participating
in Commissions, Committees and Advisory Bod-
ies. The PLIC will be a fully representative body
of the LIS community in the country. The PLIC
will also provide support to the Government in
conducting technical enquiries and recommending
remedial measures on the subjects referred. PLIC
will become an influential voice, which will speak
for the LIS profession as a whole in the country.
It will form an effective bridge between govern-
ment, professionals and library schools.
PLIC will maintain a secretariat at its Head
Quarters at Islamabad and sub offices in all the
provincial capitals.
FUNCTIONS OF THE
PROPOSED PLIC
The main functions of PLIC will be as under:
1. Promotion of Library and Information
Science (LIS) education and review of
courses of studies in consultation with the
LIS schools and practitioners.
2. Maintenance of a Register of persons quali-
fied to practice as LIS professionals.
3. Recognition of LIS qualifications for the
purpose of registration of LIS professionals.
4. Removal of names from the Register and
restoration to the Register of names, which
have been removed.
5. Levy and collection of fees from applicants
for registration.
6. Laying down of standards of conduct for the
members.
7. Safeguarding the interests of the members.
8. Promotion of reforms in the LIS profession.
9. Management of the funds and properties of
the Council. Exercise of such disciplinary
powers over the members and servants of
the council as may be prescribed.
10. Formation of such committees as may be
prescribed; and
11. Performance of all other functions connected
with, or ancillary or incidental to, the afore-
said functions.
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
OF PROPOSED PLIC
The accreditation of a degree by national council
is an assurance that the degree is legitimate. As
the council complete a thorough evaluation before
granting accreditation to any library school. De-
grees from nationally accredited schools are more
acceptable both in education community and in
the workplace. Councils of different professions in
Pakistan work very effectively specially Pakistan
Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), Pakistan
Engineering Council (PEC) and Pakistan Nursing
Council (PNC).
In USA, UK and Australia their respective as-
sociations have the responsibility of accreditation
of library education. However ALA ad hoc Task
force proposed that a new organization external

16
Pakistan Library and Information Council
to ALA should officially be responsible for the
policy and structure of accreditation of programs
of professional education in LIS. The proposal
was supported by all library association in USA
except Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
and Urban Library Council (Frazie, Siggins &
Martin, 2007). The opponents were of the opinion
that business and engineering school in USA are
moving away from old model of accreditation
therefore we should also consider some new
model. But there is no other alternative available
at present.
In view of above a draft Act of proposed Paki-
stan Library and Information Council (PLIC) is
presented along with this study as Appendix. Acts
of councils of other professions in Pakistan were
studied to draft the Act. Web sites of American
Library Association (ALA), Chartered Institute
of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
and Australian Library and Information Associa-
tion (ALIA) were also consulted to get the idea
of working of professional bodies in the field of
Library and Information Science.
This draft can be finalized after suggestions
from experts in the field of library and informa-
tion science. Committees can also be formed to
review the draft before presenting it to the com-
petent authorities.
REFERENCES
Ahmed, P. (2007). LIS education in Pakistan at
postgraduate level. Pakistan Library and Informa-
tion Science Journal, 38(2), 12–23.
Ameen, K. (2006). Challenges of preparing LIS
professionals for leadership roles in Pakistan: An
analysis of the status. In C. Khoo, D. Singh & A.
S. Chaudhry (Eds.), Proceedings A-LIEP 2006:
Asia-Pacific Conference on Library & Information
Education & Practice, Singapore (pp. 186-197).
American Library Association (ALA). (2008).
Standards for accreditation of Master’s programs
in library and information studies. Retrieved Feb-
ruary 1, 2009, from www.ala.org/ala/education-
careers/education/accreditedprograms/standards/
standards_2008.pdf
Australian Library and Information Association
(ALIA). (2005). The library and information
sectors: Core knowledge, skills and attributes.
Retrieved February 1, 2009, from www.alia.org.
au/policies/core.knowledge.html
Baradol, A. K. (1999). Total quality management
in library and information science school in India.
In Information Management in the Context of Fast
Emerging Information Society: Papers presented
at the XXII All India Conference of IASLIC, Cal-
cutta (pp. 195-198).
Chartered Institute of Library and Information
Professionals (CILIP). (2005). CILIP accredita-
tion instrument 2005. Retrieved February 10,
2009, from http://www.cilip.org.uk
Enser, P. (2002). The role of professional body
accreditation in library & information science
education in the UK. 68th IFLA Council and
General Conference August 18-24, 2002, (pp.
214-219). Retrieved February 10, 2009, from
www.librijournal.org/pdf/2002-4pp214-219.pdf
Frazier, K., Siggins, J., & Martin, S. (2007). The
role of accreditation in achieving high quality li-
brary education and a proposal for an independent
accrediting body. Retrieved April 11, 2011, from
http://www.arl.org
Harvey, J. F. (1971). Iranian library education eval-
uation, licensing and accreditation program. Re-
trieved February 10, 2009, from http://eric.ed.gov/
ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/
detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_
SearchValue_0=ED073810&ERICExtSear
ch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED073810

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
International Federation of Library Associations
and Institutions (IFLA), Education and Train-
ing Section. (2009). Guidelines for professional
library/information educational program. Re-
trieved February 1, 2009, from www.ifla.org/VII/
s23/bulletin/guidelines.htm
Jawwad, M., Ameen, K., & Ahmed, P. (2008).
Role of Pakistan Library Association (PLA) in
the development of library profession in Paki-
stan. Proceedings of the HKLA 50th Anniversary
Conference, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Library
Association.
Khoo, C., Majid, S., & Chaudhry, A. S. (2003).
Developing an accreditation system for LIS profes-
sional education programmes in Southeast Asia:
Issues and perspectives. Malaysian Journal of
Library & Information Science, 8(2), 131–149.
Khurshid, A. (1992). Library education in Paki-
stan: Concerns, issues and practice. In Rehman,
S. U., Choudhry, A. S., & Qarshi, A. H. (Eds.),
Library education in Pakistan: Past, present and
future (pp. 77–91). Lahore, Pakistan: PULSAA.
Leonhardt, T. W. (n. d.). ALA’s role in library
education. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from
http://mg.csufresno.edu/papers/forum/Present-
er_remarks01.pdf
Rehman, S. U. (2000). Preparing the information
professional: An agenda for the future. London,
UK: Greenwood Press.
Rehman, S. U. (2007). Quality assurance and LIS
education in the GCC countries. Proceedings of
the World Library and Information Congress:
73rd IFLA General Conference and Council, 13-
23 August 2007, Durbin, South Africa. Retrieved
February 10, 2009, from http://www.ifla.org/iv/
ifla73/index.htm
Sarkhel, J. K. (2006). Quality assurance and ac-
creditation of LIS education in Indian universities:
Issues and perspective. In C. Khoo, D. Singh & A.
S. Chaudhry (Eds.), Proceedings A-LIEP 2006:
Asia-Pacific Conference on Library & Information
Education & Practice, Singapore (pp. 427-431).
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2009). Ac-
creditation. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accreditation.
KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Accreditation: The act of granting an approval
to an academic institution by an official review
board after meeting the specific requirements.
Act: A statute or law passed by a legislative
body.
Association: Association is to deal with vari-
ous issues of a profession like personal develop-
ment, publishing, meeting and lobbying for the
development of the profession.
Council: A statutory professional body set
up under an Act of parliament. It registers the
professionals and establishes code of conduct for
their members. The council is also responsible for
accreditation of professional training institutions.
Library Schools: An academic institution that
impart education in library science.
LIS Professional: A person working in the
position that requires at least master degree in
Library and Information Science.
Standards: A degree or level of require-
ment, excellence or attainment considered by an
authority.

18
Pakistan Library and Information Council
APPENDIX
Proposed Draft of Pakistan Library and Information Council Act
WHEREAS it is expedient to make provision for regulation of the library and information science pro-
fession and for that purpose to constitute a Library and Information Council;
WHEREAS the Council shall regulate the library and information science profession with the vision
that the library and information science profession shall function as a key driving force for achieving
rapid and sustainable growth in all national, economic and social fields;
Council shall as its mission set and maintain realistic and internationally relevant standards of profes-
sional competence and ethics for librarians, information professionals, libraries and information centers
to competently and professionally promote and uphold the standards;
AND WHEREAS the Council, managed by distinguished librarians and information professionals
covering the entire spectrum of library and information science disciplines, shall function as an apex
body to encourage and promote the pursuit of excellence in library and information science profession
and to regulate the quality of library and information science education and practice and thereby promote
rapid growth in economic and social fields in Pakistan.
It is hereby enacted as follows:-
1. Short Title, Extent and Commencement
1. This Act may be called the Pakistan Library and Information Council Act, (year).
2. It extends to the whole of Pakistan.
3. It shall come into force at once.
2. Definitions
In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or the context,-
1. “Accreditation Committee” means the Accreditation Committee constituted under sub-section (1)
of section 13;
2. “accredited library and information science qualification” means any of the qualifications included
in the First Schedule or the Second Schedule;
3. “bye-laws” means bye-laws made under this Act;
4. “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Council;
5. “continued professional development’’ means the systematic maintenance, improvement and broad-
ening of knowledge, understanding and skill, and the development of personal qualities necessary
for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individual’s working life;
6. “Council” means the Pakistan Library and Information Council constituted under section 3;
7. ‘‘creativity’’ means innovation, invention, hypothesis, theories and such other actions in the realm
of library and information science profession contributory to development;
8. “Enrolment Committee” means the enrolment committee referred to in sub-section (1) of section
16;
9. “Governing Body” means the Governing Body of the Council;

19
Pakistan Library and Information Council
10. ‘‘learned societies’’ means institutions and associations for promotion of knowledge and excellence
in library and information science;
11. “library and information science institution” means an institution within or outside Pakistan which
grants degree, diploma and certificate in LIS and related education and is accredited as such by the
Council;
12. ‘‘library and information science profession’’ means library and information science education and
practices;
13. ‘‘library and information science professional’’ means a person who hold an accredited library and
information science qualification;
14. “library and information science school” means an institution imparting library and information
science education accredited as such by the Council;
15. “Management Committee” means the Management Committee of the Council constituted under
sub-section (1) of section 9A;
16. “member” means a member of the Council and includes the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman;
17. “prescribed” means prescribed by bye-laws;
18. “Register” means the Register maintained under section 15;
19. “registered library and information science professional’’ means a person registered as such under
this Act;
20. “registered” means registered under this Act;
21. “Registrar” means the Registrar of the Council;
22. “technology’’ means knowledge of systematic and practical application of information and com-
munications technology in library and information science;
23. “Think Tank” means a creative and innovative body to advise on library and information science
and national development plans;
24. “Think Tank Committee” means bodies of eminent library and information science professionals
constituted by the Council to assist in formulation of relevant policies relating to national develop-
ment; and
25. “university” means a university established by law in Pakistan and having a library and information
science faculty.
3. Constitution and Incorporation of Library and Information Council
1. There shall be constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act a Library and Information
Council to be known as the Pakistan Library and Information Council (PLIC).
2. The Council constituted under sub-section (1) shall be a body corporate having perpetual succes-
sion and a common seal, with power to acquire and hold property, both movable and immovable,
and to contract, and shall by the name by which it is known sue and be sued.
3. The Council shall be composed of all persons whose names may hereafter be entered in the Register,
so long as they continue to have their names borne on the Register.
4. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), the Council shall, upon its first constitution,
be composed of -
a. a Chairman, being a library and information science professional with not less than twenty
years’ standing to be nominated by the Federal Government;

20
Pakistan Library and Information Council
b. ten members, being library and information science professionals, of whom two each shall
be nominated by the Federal Government and a Provincial Government; and
c. one member, being a library and information science professional, to be nominated by each
University.
5. The headquarters of the Council shall be at Islamabad or at such other place as the Federal
Government may appoint.
3A. Executive Powers of the Council
1. The general direction and administration of the Council and its affairs shall vest in the Governing
Body which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things that may be exercised or done by
the Council.
2. Subject to the provisions of this Act, bye-laws and the general or special delegation of powers by
the Governing Body and the Management Committee, the Chairman shall be the Chief Executive
of the Council and shall also be empowered to –
a. take any action or step in emergency which in his opinion requires immediate action as he
may consider necessary, subject to ratification by the Governing Body or the Management
Committee in the meeting of such body immediately held thereafter; and
b. exercise the powers of the Council in the matters relating to its administration and the staff
of the Council, who may delegate such powers to the Registrar subject to such conditions as
the Chairman may specify in this regard.
3. The Council shall be funded through an initial grant by the Federal Government and thereafter
continuous financial support shall be provided besides that accrue from registrations, for running
the affairs of the Council.
4. Chairman and Vice-Chairman
1. There shall be a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman of the Council, who shall be eminent library and
information science professionals of known integrity, competence, standing and stature with a
minimum of twenty-five years of standing.
2. The Chairman shall be appointed by the Federal Government.
3. The Vice-Chairman shall be appointed by the Federal Government from a panel of three library
and information science professionals recommended by Governing Body.
4. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall hold office for an initial term of three years and shall be
eligible for reappointment for a similar term consecutively or otherwise.
5. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to
the Federal Government.
6. The Federal Government may remove the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman or Registrar from his
office if on enquiry by the competent authority, he is found unable to perform the functions of his
office due to mental or physical disability or to have committed misconduct.
7. The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Registrar/Secretary shall retire on attaining the age of sixty-
five years.

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5. Annual General Meeting of the Council
1. An annual general meeting of the Council shall be held at the headquarters of the Council or at a
provincial capital by rotation at such time as may be appointed by the Governing Body.
2. The following business may be transacted at the annual general meeting namely:-
a. presentation of annual report;
b. presentation of audited accounts;
c. presentation of annual budget;
d. appointment of auditors; and
e. such other business as may be placed before the meeting by the Governing Body or as the
meeting may decide.
6. Extraordinary General Meeting of the Council
1. An extraordinary general meeting of the Council shall be called by the Chairman at the headquarters
of the Council:
a. within fourteen days of the receipt by him of a requisition signed by not less than one hundred
members and stating the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting; or
b. at any time, if the holding of such meeting for the consideration of any urgent matter is in his
opinion necessary.
2. At a meeting called in pursuance of clause (a) of sub section (1), no business other than the busi-
ness stated in the requisition referred to in that clause shall be transacted.
7. General Provisions Relating to Meetings of Council
1. An annual or extraordinary general meeting of the Council shall be held and conducted in accor-
dance with the bye-laws.
2. To constitute a quorum at an annual or extraordinary general meeting of the Council, the presence
of not less than one hundred members shall be necessary: Provided that, in respect of the Council
as constituted under sub section (4) of section 3, this sub section shall have effect as if, for the
words “one hundred” therein the word “six” were substituted.
3. All decisions of the Council at an annual or extraordinary general meeting shall be taken by major-
ity of the members present and voting.
8. Functions of the Council
The following shall be the functions of the Council, namely:
a. maintenance of a Register of persons qualified to work as registered library and information sci-
ence professionals;
b. accreditation of library and information science qualifications for the purpose of registration of
registered library and information science professionals;
c. removal of names from the Register and restoration to the Register of names which have been
removed;

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
d. laying down of standards of conduct for the members;
e. safeguarding the interests of the members;
f. promotion of reforms in the library and information science profession;
g. management of the funds and properties of the Council;
h. promotion of library and information science education and review of courses of studies in con-
sultation with the universities;
i. levy and collection of fees from applicants for registration;
j. exercise of such disciplinary powers over the members and servants of the Council as may be
prescribed;
k. formation of such committees as may be prescribed;
l. assistance of the Federal Government as a Think Tank;
m. promotion of library and information science profession in totality;
n. encouragement, facilitation and regulation of working of professional library and information sci-
ence bodies as learned societies for creativity and as custodian of knowledge under the umbrella
of the Council;
o. ensuring and managing of continued professional development through library and information
science academic and professional bodies;
p. establishing standards for libraries and information centers regarding their facilities, resources and
services;
q. facilitating libraries and information centers;
r. acting as a bridge between various library and information science forums and the Federal
Government; and
s. performance of all other functions connected with, or ancillary or incidental to, the aforesaid
functions.
9. Governing Body
1. There shall be a Governing Body which shall be the principal executive authority of the Council
for supervising and governing the affairs and functions assigned to the Council by or under this
Act and bye-laws.
2. The Governing Body shall be composed of the following, namely:-
a. the Chairman and Vice-Chairman who shall also be the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the
Governing Body;
b. the Registrar;
c. two distinguished library and information science professionals to be nominated by the Federal
Government including one from Azad Jamu & Kashmir;
d. one distinguished library and information science professional to be nominated by each
Provincial Government;
e. all Head of library and information science schools or equivalent institutions howsoever
named;
f. Director General National Library of Pakistan;
g. nominees from the following Ministries or Organizations of the Federal Government, not
below the rank of Joint Secretary, namely: -
i. Planning Commission;

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
ii. Ministry of Education;
iii. Higher Education Commission;
iv. Ministry of Information;
v. elected members including Presidents/Chairmen, being library and information science
professionals not less than twenty years professional standing of the following bodies
registered with the Council (Provided that the Council may, in its discretion, add, sub-
stitute, subtract or modify the list) namely: 1. Pakistan Library Association; 2. nominee
of Pakistan Book Sellers and Publishers Association; and 3. any other professional body
registered or licensed as such by the Council;
j. fifteen members (Punjab-6; Sindh-4; NWFP-3, Balochistan-2) to be elected in the prescribed
manner by library and information science professionals whose names are borne on the Register
on the thirtieth June of the year in which elections to the Governing Body are to be held; and
k. four members nominated by the Council, from private sector.
3. The members of the Governing Body, other than the Registrar, shall hold office for a term of three
years.
4. The members of the Governing Body shall be nominated or, as the case may be, elected not less
than fifteen days before the term of the outgoing members is due to expire.
5. The Governing Body shall hold at least three meetings per year, the quorum for which shall be
thirty per cent of the total membership of the Governing Body.
9A. Management Committee
1. There shall be a Management Committee, to oversee working of the Secretariat to run the affairs
of the Council in accordance with the provisions of this Act and bye-laws.
2. The Management Committee shall be composed of the following, namely:-
a. Chairman;
b. Vice-Chairman;
c. Registrar; and
d. four members nominated by the Governing Body.
3. The tenure of the Management Committee shall be three years. The Management Committee shall
hold meetings once in a quarter, the quorum for which shall be the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman
and two members.
10. Accreditation of Library and Information Science
Qualifications Granted by Institutions in Pakistan:
1. The library and information science qualifications granted by library and information science
schools in Pakistan which are included in the First Schedule shall be the accredited library and
information science qualifications for the purposes of this Act.
2. Any library and information science school in Pakistan which grants a library and information
science qualification not included in the First Schedule may apply to the Council to have such
qualification accredited and the Council may, by notification in the official Gazette, amend the
First Schedule so as to include such qualification therein.

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
11. Accreditation of Foreign Library and Information Science Qualifications
1. The library and information science qualifications granted by library and information science in-
stitutions outside Pakistan which are included in the Second Schedule shall be accredited library
and information science qualifications for the purposes of this Act.
2. Any library and information science qualification granted by a library and information science
school outside Pakistan not included in the Second Schedule may be accredited by the Council,
and the Council may, by notification in the official Gazette, amend the Second Schedule so as to
include such qualification therein.
12. Power to Require Information as to Courses of Study and Examination
Every library and information science school in Pakistan which grants an accredited library and informa-
tion science qualification shall furnish such information as the Council may, from time to time, require
as to the courses of study and examination to be undergone in order to obtain such qualification.
13. Accreditation of Library and Information Science Programs/ Schools
1. The Council shall constitute an accreditation committee including representative(s) from HEC for
organizing and carrying out a comprehensive program of accreditation of library and information
science schools, departments etc. according to the criterion approved by the HEC in consultation
with Pakistan Library and Information Council (PLIC).
2. The curricula of courses of studies in various disciplines of library and information science and
minimum level and standard of such courses including lectures, laboratories and internship shall
be examined and scrutinized by the accreditation committee in line with criterion laid down by
HEC, who shall submit its report to the Governing Body.
3. The Accreditation Committee shall be responsible for the inspection of examinations held by
the library and information science schools in Pakistan. For such purpose, the members of the
Accreditation Committee shall also act as inspectors of examination. The report of the inspectors
of examination shall be submitted to the Governing Body through the Accreditation Committee.
14. Withdrawal of Accreditation
1. When upon report by the Accreditation Committee, it appears to the Council that the courses of
study and examination to be gone through in any library and information science school in Pakistan
in order to obtain an accredited library and information science qualification or the standards of
proficiency required from candidates in any examination held for the purpose of granting such
qualification are not such to secure to a person holding such qualification the knowledge and skill
requisite for the efficient practice of library and information science, the Council shall forward the
report to the library and information science institution concerned with an intimation of the period
within which it may submit its explanation to the Council; and
2. On receipt of the explanation or, where no explanation is submitted within the specified period, on
the expiry of that period, the Council, after making such further inquiry, if any, as it may think fit,
may, by notification in the official Gazette, direct that an entry shall be made in the First Schedule

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
against the library and information science qualification to which the explanation relates declaring
that it shall be an accredited library and information science qualification only when granted before
a specified date.
15. Maintenance of Register, etc
1. The Council shall maintain in the prescribed manner a Register in which shall be entered the names
and other particulars of persons possessing accredited library and information science qualifica-
tions whose application for registration as registered library and information professionals, from
time to time, granted by the Council.
2. Every application for registration under this Act shall be made to the Council in the prescribed
form and be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
3. Every registered library and information professional registered under this Act shall be entitled to
receive a certificate of registration under the hand of the Registrar.
4. A certificate of registration issued under sub section (3), shall, subject to the provisions of this Act,
remain in force until the thirty first day of December of the year in which it is issued and shall
thereafter be renewable for any number of years not exceeding three at a time upon payment of
the prescribed fee.
16. Registration and Removal of Names from Register
1. Every application for registration, and every case of removal of a name from the Register, shall be
considered by an enrolment committee consisting of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and three
other members, being library and information science professionals of not less than twenty years’
standing, nominated by the Governing Body.
2. The enrolment committee in its discretion may refuse to permit the registration of any person or
direct the removal altogether or for a specified period from the Register of the name of any reg-
istered library and information science professional who has been convicted of any such offence
as implies in the opinion of the committee a defect of character after providing such person an
opportunity of being heard, and shall record reasons for action under this section.
3. The enrolment committee may direct that any name removed from the Register under sub section
(2) shall be restored.
17. Appeal Against Removal of Name from Register
1. Any registered library and information science professional aggrieved by an order under sub sec-
tion (1) of section 16 for the removal of his name from the Register may, within thirty days of the
communication of the order, prefer an appeal to the Governing Body.
2. Upon the receipt of an appeal under sub section (1), the Governing Body may, after holding such
inquiry as it may consider necessary and giving the appellant an opportunity of being heard in
person or through an advocate, pass such order as it may deem fit.

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
18. Revision of Register
1. The Registrar shall remove from the Register the name of any registered library and information
science professional.-
a. who has died or, as the case may be, which has ceased to exist;
b. who has failed to have his certificate of registration renewed within one year of the date of
its expiry; or
c. whose name has been directed under sub section (2) of section 16 or sub section (7) of section
21 to be removed from the Register.
2. The Registrar shall restore to the Register the name of any registered library and information sci-
ence professional whose name has been removed from the Register under clause (b) of sub section
(1) if such registered library and information science professional applies for such restoration and
pays the prescribed fee.
3. The Council may, in its discretion, after the expiry of not less than one year following the removal
from the register of the name of any registered library and information science professional grant
registration to such registered library and information science professional if he or it applies for
registration.
19. Complaints Against Library and Information Professionals, etc
1. A complaint made against any registered library and information science professional as to work
or conduct shall be considered by the enrolment committee and, if that committee is of the opinion
that there are sufficient reasons to proceed against the person to whom the complaint relates, it may
either proceed to inquire into the complaint itself or refer the complaint to a Tribunal of Inquiry.
2. Where the enrolment committee decides to proceed with the complaint itself, it shall follow the
same procedure as has been prescribed for the Tribunal of Inquiry and may pass such order as it
is competent to pass under sub section (7) of section 21.
3. For the purpose of any inquiry, the enrolment committee shall be deemed to be a court within the
meaning of the Qanun-e-Shahadat, 1984 (P.O. No. 10 of 1984), and shall exercise all the powers
of a civil court for summoning witnesses, for compelling the production of documents and for is-
suing commissions.
20. Tribunal of Inquiry
1. For holding inquiries into the professional conduct of registered library and information science
professionals, the Governing Body may constitute as many Tribunals of Inquiry as it may consider
necessary.
2. A Tribunal shall consist of three members appointed by the Governing Body out of a panel of
members of the Council maintained by the Committee who have professional standing of not less
than twenty years and who hold, or have held high library and information science assignments.
3. The Governing Body shall appoint one of the members of a Tribunal to be the Chairman thereof.

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
21. Procedure in Inquiries, etc
1. In inquiries relating to the professional conduct of registered library and information professionals,
the Tribunal shall, except as hereinafter provided, follow such procedure as may be prescribed.
2. The Tribunal shall fix a date for the hearing of the case and shall cause notice of the day so fixed
to be given to the complainant and the registered library and information science professional con-
cerned, hereafter in this section referred to as the respondent, and shall afford to the complainant
and the respondent an opportunity of leading evidence, if any, and of being heard before recom-
mendations are made in the case.
3. The Chairman of the Tribunal may empower a member of the Tribunal to consider and decide
preliminary issues and to record evidence.
4. On completion of the inquiry, the Tribunal may recommend to the Enrolment Committee.-
a. dismissal of the complaint;
b. imposition of any of the following penalties on the respondent namely:-
i. reprimand;
ii. removal of name from the Register for a period not exceeding five years
iii. removal of name from the Register altogether; or
c. prosecution of the respondent for the offence constituted by his conduct.
5. The Tribunal may make such recommendation to the Enrolment Committee as to the cost of the
proceedings before it as it may deem fit; and, where the Tribunal is of the opinion that a complaint
made against a respondent is false and vexatious, it may, in addition and without prejudice to any
other remedy available to the respondent, recommend imposition upon the complainant of costs
not exceeding a sum of ten thousand rupees and payment to the respondent of the whole or any
part of the costs recovered from the complainant.
6. In any case in which it has recommended the imposition of any penalty on, or the prosecution of
the respondent, the Tribunal may also recommend that an amount not exceeding twice the amount
of the fee received by the respondent from the complainant may be recovered from the respondent
and paid to the complainant as compensation.
7. The Enrolment Committee shall meet to consider the recommendations of the Tribunal within a
period of six weeks from the date of receipt thereof and pass such orders as it may deem fit.
7A. Any person aggrieved by an order under sub section (7) may, within thirty days of the com-
munication of order to him, prefer an appeal to the Governing Body.
8. Any order of the Enrolment Committee as to the costs of the proceedings before the Tribunal or
as to the recovery of any amount from a complainant or a respondent shall be executable as if it
were an order of a District Judge.
9. When any library and information science professional is reprimanded under this Act a record of
the punishment shall be entered against his name in the Register.
22. Powers of the Tribunal
1. For the purpose of any such inquiry as aforesaid, a Tribunal shall have the same powers as are vested
in a court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908) in respect of the following
matters, namely:-
a. enforcing the attendance of any person,

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b. compelling the production of documents, and
c. issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses.
2. Every such inquiry shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding with in the meaning of sections
193 and 228 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860), and a Tribunal shall be deemed to be
a civil court for the purpose of sections 480 and 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (Act
V of 1898).
3. For the purposes of enforcing the attendance of any person or of compelling the production of
documents or issuing commissions-
a. the jurisdiction of a Tribunal shall extend to the whole of Pakistan; and
b. a tribunal may send to any civil court having jurisdiction in the place where the Tribunal is
sitting any summons or other process for the attendance of a witness or the production of
documents required by the Tribunal, or any commission which it desires to issue, and the
civil court shall serve such process or issue such commission, as the case may be, and may
enforce any such process as if it were a process for attendance or production before itself.
4. Proceedings before a Tribunal in any such inquiry shall be deemed to be civil proceedings for the
purposes of Articles 15 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat, 1984 (P.O. No. 10 of 1984) and the provisions
of that section shall apply accordingly.
23. Fund of the Council, Accounts and Audit
1. All sums received by the Council as fees, grants, donations or subscriptions shall form part of a
fund which shall be managed, administered and utilized in such manner as may be prescribed.
2. The Governing Body shall cause to be maintained such books of account and other books in such
form and manner as may be prescribed.
3. The accounts of the Council shall be audited, before the thirtieth day of November each year, by an
auditor appointed by the Council who is a chartered accountant within the meaning of the Chartered
Accountants Ordinance, 1961 (X of 1961).
24. By-Laws of the Council
1. The Governing Body may, with the previous sanction of the Federal Government, by notification
in the official Gazette, make bye-laws for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
2. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such bye-laws may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
a. the summoning and holding of meetings of the Council and Governing Body, the time and
places where such meetings are to be held, the conduct of business and the number of members
necessary to constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Governing Body;
b. the powers and duties of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Registrar;
c. the terms of office and powers and duties of the Registrar and other officers and servants of
the Council;
d. the appointment, powers, duties and procedure of inspectors;
e. the procedure for maintenance and publication of the Register, the fees to be charged under
this Act and establishment of sub offices or branches of the Council;
f. the management of the property of the Council and the maintenance and audit of its accounts;

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
g. the procedure at any inquiry held under sub section (2) of section 21; and
h. any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.
24A. Power to Make Regulations
The Governing Body may, in consultation with the Committee of Head of library and information sci-
ence schools in universities of Pakistan set up by the Higher Education Commission, make regulations,
not inconsistent with the provisions of the this Act and the bye-laws, to provide for:
a. minimum standard of courses of study and practical training for obtaining graduate and post-graduate
library and information science professional qualifications to be included in the First and Second
Schedules;
b. minimum requirement for the content and duration of courses of study as aforesaid;
c. minimum qualifications for admission to library and information science institutions offering course
of study and laying down minimum standard for holding admission examinations;
d. qualification and experience required of teachers for appointment in library and information sci-
ence schools;
e. minimum standards of examinations, and duration and standard of practical training, for securing
accreditation of library and information science professional qualifications under this Act; and
f. qualifications and experience required of examiners for professional examinations of accredited
library and information science qualifications.
25. Proof of Membership, etc
For the purposes of any action or proceeding under this Act, a certificate of the Registrar certifying
under the seal of the Council that, on a specified date, the name of a person was or was not borne on the
Register shall be proof of its contents and of the authenticity of his signature, until the contrary is proved.
26. Penalties and Procedure
1. After such date as the Federal Government may, after consultation with the Council, by notifica-
tion in the official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, whoever undertakes any library and information
science professional work shall, if his name is not for the time being borne on the Register, be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may
extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both, and, in the case of a continuing offence, with a further
fine which may extend to two hundred rupees for every day after the first during which the offence
continues.
2. After the date appointed as aforesaid, whoever employs for any library and information science
professional work any person whose name is not for the time being borne on the Register shall be
punishable, on first conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or
with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both, and on a second or subsequent
conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may
extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both.

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
3. Whoever willfully procures or attempts to procure himself or itself to be registered under this Act
as a registered library and information science professional by making or producing or causing
to be made or produced any false or fraudulent representation or declaration, either orally or in
writing, and any person who assists him therein shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with
both.
4. Whoever falsely pretends to be registered under this Act, or not being registered under this Act,
uses with his name of title any words or letters representing that he is so registered, irrespective of
whether any person is actually deceived by such pretence or representation or not, shall be pun-
ishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may
extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.
5. No person undertaking any professional work shall, unless he is registered under this Act, be
entitled to recover before any court or other authority any sum of money for services rendered in
such work.
5A. No person shall, unless registered as a registered library and information professional, hold
any post in an LIS organization where he has to perform professional LIS work.
6. No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act save on complaint made
by, or under the authority of, the Council.
7. No court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the First Class shall try any offence punishable under
this Act.
27. Power to Exempt
If the Council so recommends, the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, ex-
empt any person or class of persons, or any library and information science professional work or class
of such works, from the operation of the provisions of section 26, subject to such conditions, if any, as
may be specified in the notification.
27A. Super Session of Council
1. If at any time it appears to the Federal Government that the Council has failed to exercise or has
exceeded or abused any of the powers conferred upon it by or under this Act, the Federal Government
may, if it is satisfied that such failure, excess or abuse has adversely affected the efficient conduct
of the affairs of the Council to the achievement of the objects of this Act, by notification in the
official Gazette supersede the Council for a period of two years and may, by a like notification
extend the period of supersession for a further period of one year.
2. Upon the super session of the Council under sub-section (1) -
a. the persons holding office as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members of the Council shall
cease to hold office, and
b. all powers and functions of the Council shall during the period of supersession be exercised
and performed by such person or authority as the Federal Government may appoint in this
behalf, as if such person or authority were the Council.

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Pakistan Library and Information Council
3. The Council shall be reconstituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the exercise
and performance of its powers and functions on the expiry of the period specified in the notifica-
tion under sub-section (1).
28. Commission of Inquiry
1. Whenever it is made to appear to the Federal Government that the Council is not complying with
any of the provisions of this Act, the Federal Government may refer the particulars of the complaint
to a Commission of Inquiry consisting of-
a. a person who is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court, to be appointed
by the Federal Government;
b. a library and information science professional, to be nominated by the Federal Government;
and
c. a library and information science professional, to be nominated by the Council.
2. The Commission shall proceed to inquire and report to the Federal Government as to the truth of the
matters charged in the complaint and, in case of any charge of default or of improper action being
found by the Commission to have been established, the Commission shall recommend remedies,
if any, which are in its opinion necessary.
3. The Federal Government may require the Council to adopt the remedies so recommended within
such time as, having regard to the report of the Commission, if may think fit; and, if the Council
fails to comply with any such requirement, the Federal Government may amend the bye-laws or
make such provision or order or take such other steps as may seem necessary to give effect to the
recommendations of the Commission.
4. A Commission of Inquiry shall have power to administer oaths, to enforce the attendance of wit-
nesses and the production of documents, and shall have all such other necessary powers for the
purpose of any inquiry conducted by it as are exercised by a civil court under the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908).
28A. Indemnity
No suit, prosecution, or other legal proceedings shall lie against, the Council or any of its Committees,
Officers or servants for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this
Act or the bye-laws or regulations made there under.
29. Removal of Difficulties
The Federal Government may, by order, provide for the removal of any difficulty which may arise in
giving effect to the provisions of this Act or bye-laws made there under, not inconsistent with the provi-
sions of this Act.