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ACT II OF 2016 ACT II OF 2016 BALOCHISTAN SOUND SYSTEMS (REGULATION) ACT, 2016 An Act to regulate and control the use of sound systems in Balochistan [Gazette of Balochistan Extraordinary, 22nd February, 2016] No.PAB/Legis:V(23)/2016/6016, dated 22.2.2016.---The Sound Systems (Regulation) Bill 2015, (Bill No.23 of 2015) having been passed by the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan on 15th February, 2016 and assented to by the Governor, Balochistan on 17th February, 2016, is hereby published as an Act of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly. Preamble.---WHEREAS, it is expedient for purposes of preventing public nuisance and the voicing of utterances of a controversial nature likely to cause public disorder; to regulate, control and prohibit the use of certain sound systems in the interest of environment, public order, decency and the prevention of incitement to terrorism or the commission of any offence in Balochistan, and to deal with the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows:- 4. Regulation of sound system.---(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person shall not operate or use or cause to be operated or used a sound system: (a) in a public place, in a manner so as to cause or to be likely to cause annoyance or injury to persons in the vicinity; or (b) in any place in the vicinity of- (i) a place of worship during prayer times; (ii) a hospital providing facilities for indoor patients at any time of day or night; (iii) an educational institution, a court, a hospital not providing facilities for indoor patients or any other public institution, office or undertaking during their usual working hours at a volume or in a manner whereby the working or the use of the establishment is likely to be disturbed by the use of the sound system; and (iv) a house or any other place used for human dwelling at any time as may be prescribed; or (c) in a place of worship in a manner or at a volume whereby any sound from the sound system could be heard beyond ten yards outside the boundaries of the place of worship; or (d) in any public or private place, for the voicing of any sectarian or other utterances of a controversial nature likely to lead to public disorder, if such utterances are or may be heard outside or beyond the immediate limits or precincts of such place. (2) Subject to subsection (2) of section 3, a person may use: (a) one external sound system at a place of worship for the purpose of Azan, Arabic Khutba delivered on a Friday or on Eid, announcement of death of a person, lost or found a thing or a person; or (b) external sound system at a public place and during reasonable hours with the prior permission of the Government or an officer authorized by the Government and the use of such sound system is in accord with the conditions mentioned in such permission.