1 week Ago By Arslan Mehndi Nekokara
In 2024, the Punjab government took a historic step toward restructuring regulatory enforcement by establishing the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) under the Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Act. Conceived as a centralised body to address pressing administrative, economic, and social issues—including urban encroachment, hoarding, and inflation—PERA aims to streamline the province’s traditionally fragmented governance structure. While the authority has drawn praise for its ambitious goals, it has also raised concerns over the extent of its powers.
The legislation was spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and passed during a brief session of the Punjab Assembly on October 17, 2024. Supporters welcomed the move as a necessary response to economic instability, arguing for swift implementation. Critics, however, questioned both the limited debate surrounding the bill and the broad authority PERA wields—most notably, its power to search and detain without a warrant.
The debate underscores a larger tension between the need for efficient governance and the imperative of checks and balances. 365 profiteers held in Lodhran PERA’s structure reflects an emphasis on clarity and hierarchy. The Chief Minister serves as Chair, with the Chief Secretary as Vice Chair.
Day-to-day operations are overseen by a Director General responsible for recruitment, procurement, and field operations. At the district level, Deputy Commissioners head Enforcement and Regulatory Boards, while Sub-Divisional Enforcement Officers lead tehsil-level Enforcement Stations. Each subdivision includes around 40 officials tasked with monitoring prices, removing encroachments, and addressing public nuisances.
The Enforcement Stations also host non-judicial proceedings conducted by Hearing Officers to expedite local dispute resolution. Despite ongoing concerns about concentrating power in bureaucrats rather than elected representatives, the model attempts to balance local responsiveness with central oversight. PERA has a broad and interventionist mandate.
It aims to stabilise markets by targeting stockpiling and price manipulation of essential commodities such as wheat, sugar, and medicines. Its teams carry out surprise inspections, confiscate hoarded goods, and impose fines. The authority is also empowered to remove unauthorised encroachments and recover costs from violators—though critics argue this disproportionately harms small vendors.
Hearing Officers are required to resolve cases within 30 days, part of an effort to deliver quicker justice. Whistleblower protections and financial incentives have been introduced to encourage citizen reporting, although doubts remain about their effectiveness in a bureaucratically coercive environment. American Education The authority’s emphasis on professionalism is evident in its recruitment and training processes.
Enforcement Officers (BS-14) and Investigation Officers (BS-11) undergo rigorous selection, including written exams, psychological evaluations, interviews, medical checks, and physical fitness tests. After a month-long training covering legal procedures, ethical enforcement, and dispute resolution, recruits face monthly performance reviews. In 2025, PERA expanded into digital and environmental governance by advertising posts for IT and Environmental Officers, signalling evolving priorities.
Still, the dominance of government appointees on hiring panels has led to civil society concerns over transparency. PERA’s challenges are not unprecedented. Other Pakistani regulatory bodies offer instructive parallels.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) exposed the consequences of inadequate coordination and technological shortfalls. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) illustrated the dangers of political interference and blurred jurisdiction. The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) revealed the necessity of autonomy and skilled human capital.
Sindh’s Deadly Roads Moreover, efforts by anti-encroachment cells in the Lahore and Karachi Development Authorities have faltered due to political pressure, manpower shortages, and a lack of rehabilitation planning—risks PERA must avoid. WASA’s weak field enforcement further underscores the importance of strong operational capacity, transparency, and technological integration. While both the Punjab Police and PERA contribute to law and order, their domains and approaches differ sharply.
PERA is envisioned as a specialised civilian body focused on non-criminal regulatory enforcement—such as price control, land use, environmental compliance, and minor civic violations. In contrast, the Punjab Police handles criminal investigations, arrests, and prosecutions under the Police Order 2002. PERA’s creation is intended to relieve police stations of minor administrative duties, allowing law enforcement to concentrate on major public safety concerns.
However, PERA will still rely on police support for security during field operations, highlighting the need for effective coordination mechanisms. Wealth and Security For PERA to succeed, it must not only deliver tangible benefits to the public but also address legitimate concerns. Public trust can be built through AI-based price monitoring, community engagement via town halls, and independent oversight that includes civil society input.
As a bold experiment in governance, PERA’s success or failure will shape not just Punjab’s regulatory landscape but also set a precedent for other provinces. Its legacy will rest on whether it can strike the right balance between authority and accountability—and whether it becomes a cautionary tale or a national model. Arslan Mehndi Nekokara The writer is a lecturer at GCUF Chiniot Campus.
Tags: pera punjab.
