THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE 2001
ORDINANCE No. VIII OF 2001
[20th February, 2001]
An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the law relating to the mentally disordered persons with
respect to their care and treatment, the management of their property and other related matters
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the treatment and care of
mentally disordered persons, to make better provisions for their care, treatment, management of
properties and affairs and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto and to
encourage community care of such mentally disordered persons and further to provide for the
promotion of mental health and prevention of mental disorder;
AND WHEREAS the National Assembly and the Senate stand suspended in pursuance of the
Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day of October, 1999, and the Provisional Constitution
Order No. l of 1999;
AND WHEREAS the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to
take immediate action;
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day of
October, 1999, and the Provisional Constitution Order No. l of 1999, read with the Provisional
Constitution (Amendment) Order No.9 of 1999, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that
behalf, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to make and promulgate the
following Ordinance:__
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement.__(1) This Ordinance may be called the Mental Health
Ordinance, 2001.
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.
(3) It shall come into force with effect from the 20th day of February, 2001.
2. Definitions. (1) In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or
context,__
(a) “approved psychiatrist” means a medical practitioner possessing a recognized
postgraduate qualification and registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
and also approved by the Authority;
(b) “Authority” means the Federal Mental Health Authority constituted under section 3;
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