LAHORE, Jan 26: The Punjab government has created a Provincial Appellate Authority (PAA) by amending the Drugs Rules 1988 to hear appeals against the orders of the licencing authority.

The amendment has been directed by the Punjab governor in exercise of powers conferred upon him under Section 44 of the Drugs Act 1976. As the persons aggrieved by an order of the licencing authority were required to make appeals to the appellate authority in the federal capital, the amendment in the drug rules will help them to make appeals in the Punjab.

The PAA has been established under Section 9-A of the act. The aggrieved persons can prefer an appeal to the PAA within 60 days of the date of such order.

The Punjab additional chief secretary will be the Provincial Appellate Authority for the purpose of hearing appeals against the orders of the licencing authority. For the purpose, the additional chief secretary may coordinate with any person having experience in the relevant field.

The amendment says that the PAA shall, after giving the appellant an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as it thinks fit and that order shall be final.