Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority

Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority
پنجاب انفورسمنٹ اینڈ ریگولیٹری اتھارٹی
AbbreviationPERA
MottoWelfare of the Citizens
Agency overview
Formed17 October 2024 (2024-10-17)
Employees8,000+
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionPunjab, Pakistan
Legal jurisdictionGovernment of Punjab
Operational structure
HeadquartersLahore, 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 provincial 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, profiteering and other public welfare regulations across Punjab.[2][3] It was launched by chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.[4][5] The force began operations in the Lahore Division and is planned to expand to all districts by December 2025.[6] PERA is tasked with market inspections, removal of encroachments, and regulatory enforcement. It operates with enforcement stations, modern equipment, and trained personnel, including female officers.[7][8] PERA is headed by the chief minister as chairperson, with the Chief Secretary Punjab as vice chairperson, and a Director General overseeing daily operations.[9]

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.[10][11]

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.[12]

Ranks

Rank group General/flag officer Senior officers Junior officer
Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority Director General Director Secretary District Enforcement and Regulatory Board (DERB) Sub Divisional Enforcement Officer
Basic Pay Scale BPS 19/20 BPS-18/19 BPS-18 BPS-16/17
Punjab Police Equivalent Deputy Inspector General of Police Senior Superintendent of Police Superintendent of Police Deputy Superintendent of Police
Basic Pay Scale BPS-20 BPS-19 BPS-18 BPS-17
Rank Group Junior commissioned officers Non commissioned officer
Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority Enforcement Officer Investigation Officer Senior Sergeant - Sergeant
Basic Pay Scale BPS-14 BPS-11 BPS-9 - BPS-7
Punjab Police Equivalen Inspector Sub Inspector Assistant Sub Inspector Head Constable Constable
Basic Pay Scale BPS-16 BPS-14 BPS-11 BPS-9 BPS-7

See also

References

  1. ^ "Leadership".
  2. ^ "Punjab's first regulatory authority established to tackle inflation, encroachments : CM". 2 December 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  3. ^ "PERA: Punjab's Experiment". The Nation. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  4. ^ News Desk. "CM Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA)". Radio Pakistan.
  5. ^ Report, Recorder (25 September 2024). "CM for early setup of Punjab Enforcement & Regulatory Authority". Brecorder. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  6. ^ "PERA: Punjab's Experiment". The Nation. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  7. ^ Sunny, Patrick (22 April 2025). "New price regulation authority to replace magistrate system". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  8. ^ "CM Maryam Nawaz launches PERA to tackle inflation, encroachment across Punjab". The Nation. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  9. ^ NEWS Desk. "PITB Holds Meeting with Punjab Enforcement & Regulatory Authority".
  10. ^ "Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority".
  11. ^ "Punjab CM terms establishment of PERA vital to curb inflation".
  12. ^ "The PERA-meters of regulation". The News International. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
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