New authority to curb price hike, encroachment in the offing

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the establishment of a Provincial Enforcement Authority to take action against price hike, encroachment of government land and hoarding.

Chairing a meeting to review the implementation of various government policies, she said enforcement authorities would also be established in every district and tehsil of Punjab.

The Provincial Enforcement Authority will be headed by the chief secretary, supported by a DG. The district authorities will be headed by the deputy commissioners and Tehsil enforcement authorities by ACs.

The enforcement authorities will have the powers to take action against price hike, encroachment of government land and hoarding, besides performing other special tasks assigned by the government from time to time.

The chief minister issued directives to make the enforcement authorities functional in six months, and to immediately start legislation for the purpose.

She approved a proposal to amend 11 laws, rules and ordinances in this regard.

A police station and a special force will be established in each tehsil under the supervision of the enforcement authority concerned. Authority in-charges, investigation officers, enforcement officers and constables will be appointed in the Tehsil enforcement authorities, which will have the powers to register cases, investigate them and make arrests in addition to the enforcement of law.

Offices of the provincial and district enforcement authorities will also be established to ensure effective monitoring.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, Minister for Agriculture Muhammad Ashiq Hussain, MPA Sania Ashiq, the chief secretary, secretaries of agriculture, finance and other relevant officers attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2024.