Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has formally launched the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), the country's first provincial-level body dedicated to enforcing laws against inflation, hoarding and land encroachments.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Lahore Expo Centre, the chief minister hailed PERA as a transformative step in strengthening rule of law and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
The authority will become operational in Lahore Division next week and is expected to be fully functional across Punjab by December.
"The idea of PERA was conceived just eight months ago, and today it has become a reality," said the CM, praising the pace and professionalism of the new institution's formation. "PERA is now the shield for the oppressed and a deterrent for profiteers and land grabbers."
During the launch event, the chief minister inspected various components of the new authority's operations, including a 3D model of a PERA Station, law enforcement vehicles, protective equipment, and the central control room. A demonstration by the newly formed PERA Force - the enforcement unit - showcased their readiness with mock operations, martial arts, and crowd control drills.
The chief minister emphasised that PERA would introduce a new culture of transparency and accountability in enforcement. Unlike traditional reliance on district administration and revenue officers for price and encroachment control, the new authority will function as a specialised body with trained personnel and dedicated infrastructure. She also gave commendation certificates to top-performing officers during PERA's training phase. PERA Director General Farrukh Ateeq, who led the formation of the authority, briefed the audience on its scope and objectives. He noted that PERA stations would be established in all 144 tehsils of the province, equipped with digital devices and hundreds of enforcement vehicles.
"PERA will not just conduct operations," Ateeq said. "It will ensure thorough investigations, robust prosecution, and systemic reforms in law enforcement culture."
CM Maryam Nawaz pledged full government support for the authority and urged PERA officers to maintain honesty and bravery in service.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ