Governance & Statutory Framework
The Population Association of Pakistan (PAP) is a non-profit, professional, academic, and demographic body registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 and certified by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP-2018/628) under NPOs.
Memorandum of Association & Bylaws
Article I: Name, Status & Secretariat
1. Name: The Association shall be called the Population Association of Pakistan (hereinafter referred to as PAP or the Association).
2. Character: The Association is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit academic and professional body dedicated to promoting demographic studies and evidence-based population policy in Pakistan.
3. Secretariat: The registered secretariat and permanent office of the Association is situated in Islamabad, Pakistan, with collaborative conference and seminar liaisons established across leading universities in all four provinces.
Article II: Aims and Objectives
The core aims and objectives for which the Association is established are:
- To promote and strengthen the discipline of population studies, demography, and public health by providing a collaborative scientific forum for subject experts, policymakers, and researchers.
- To convene the Annual Population Research Conference (APRC) in rotation with leading universities across major cities of Pakistan.
- To organize regional seminars, discussion groups, and technical webinars addressing pressing demographic challenges, urbanization, poverty, and human development.
- To publish peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, the quarterly newsletter Population Windows, and consolidated conference recommendations.
- To build capacity among young social scientists and students through specialized training courses in qualitative and quantitative demographic research methodology.
- To confer awards and recognitions on scholars who have made outstanding contributions to population research in Pakistan (honored by the Library of Congress Shield Award in 2013).
- To collaborate with national and international demographic and public health organizations in advancing evidence-driven development policies.
Article III: Categories of Membership
Membership of the Association is open to individuals and organizations committed to population and demographic research:
Open to professionals, academics, demographers, public health specialists, and social scientists actively engaged in population-related disciplines. Subject to periodic renewal.
Conferred upon individuals qualifying for regular membership upon contribution of a one-time subscription, entitling life-long voting and participation privileges.
Available to bonafide enrolled undergraduate and post-graduate students in recognized universities studying demography, sociology, economics, or public health.
Open to universities, research centers, non-governmental organizations, and developmental agencies supporting population welfare, data science, and research.
Article IV: Governance & Executive Council
1. Executive Council: The general administration, policy execution, and management of the Association are vested in an elected Executive Council.
2. Office Bearers: The Executive Council consists of the President, Vice President(s), General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer, and elected council members reflecting institutional and provincial representation.
3. Term of Office: The elected tenure of the Executive Council is two (2) years. Elections are conducted via transparent ballots at the Annual General Meeting.
Article V: General Body Meetings
1. Annual General Meeting (AGM): The Association convenes its AGM annually during the Annual Population Research Conference to receive the annual report, review audited financial statements, and deliberate on strategic priorities.
2. Quorum: One-fourth of active voting members in good standing constitutes a quorum for the General Body meeting.
Article VI: Accounts, Finances & Statutory Audit
1. Financial Year: The financial year of the Association runs from 1st July to 30th June.
2. Banking Operations: Accounts are maintained in scheduled banks and operated under joint signatures of the Treasurer and either the President or General Secretary.
3. Independent Audit: All accounts of the Association are annually audited by an independent firm of Chartered Accountants, ensuring compliance with PCP standards and the Societies Registration Act.
Article VII: Amendments
Any proposal for altering, amending, or extending the Constitution of the Association requires submission in writing to the General Secretary and approval by a two-thirds majority of voting members present at the Annual General Meeting.