Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority

Last updated
Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority
پنجاب انفورسمنٹ اینڈ ریگولیٹری اتھارٹی
PERA logo.PNG
AbbreviationPERA
MottoWelfare of the Citizens
Agency overview
Formed17 October 2024;9 months ago (2024-10-17)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction Punjab, Pakistan
Legal jurisdiction Government of Punjab
Operational structure
Headquarters Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Agency executives
Parent agencyGovernment of Punjab
Crime Control Department
Punjab Police
Facilities
Stations154 Enforcement Stations
Website
pera.punjab.gov.pk

Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), also known as PERA Force, is a law enforcement agency of Punjab, Pakistan, established by the Government of Punjab under the 2024 Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Act, 2024. The authority is responsible for enforcing laws related to price control, hoarding, encroachments, and other public welfare regulations across Punjab. [2] [3]

Contents

History

PERA was created after the passage of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Act, 2024, by the Punjab Assembly to strengthen implementation of public welfare laws. It brought multiple enforcement roles under a single structure. The law granted PERA powers to inspect, seize, arrest, and impose penalties under scheduled laws. The move faced criticism from some lawmakers and legal experts for expanding bureaucratic control and overlapping with police authority.

The authority was made functional in phases from early 2025, under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with a province-wide rollout targeted for September 2025. [4] [5]

Structure

PERA operates through Enforcement Stations set up at the sub-divisional level. Its officers are empowered to inspect, seize goods, remove encroachments, arrest individuals, issue emergency orders, and impose penalties. A Director General heads the authority, while the Board of Governors, chaired by the Chief Minister, supervises governance. The board includes senior government officials, provincial lawmakers, and independent members. [6]

See also

References

  1. "Leadership".
  2. "Punjab's first regulatory authority established to tackle inflation, encroachments : CM". 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  3. "PERA: Punjab's Experiment". The Nation. 2025-04-09. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  4. "Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority".
  5. "Punjab CM terms establishment of PERA vital to curb inflation".
  6. "The PERA-meters of regulation". The News International. Retrieved 2025-06-01.