CM Punjab inaugurates regulatory body to curb hoarding, land grabbing and price hikes

Lahore: In a landmark step towards regulatory reform and law enforcement, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz inaugurated Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) at a ceremony held at the Lahore Expo Centre.

According to PTV, the authority will be fully operational in Lahore Division from next week and is set to expand across the entire province by December this year.

The inauguration ceremony was marked by a march past and martial arts demonstration by the PERA’s dedicated force. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reviewed operational vehicles, motorcycles, and gadgets including 3D PERA station models, advanced weaponry, protective shields, and other enforcement equipment.

She also expressed delight upon meeting female SDEOs and observed key operational areas such as the control room, investigation room, conference hall, detention rooms, and barracks.

The chief minister inspected the token and complaint registration system by pressing the button herself and also observed a mock enforcement operation by the PERA force. Certificates of excellence were awarded to four officers for outstanding performance during training.

PERA Director General Farrukh Atiq presented a briefing on the authority’s objectives, expressing gratitude to the chief minister for her unwavering support in establishing the body.

Five dead, 38 injured as bus overturned near Chakri Interchange

According to the official briefing, the PERA will play a key role in conducting province-wide operations against price inflation and hoarding; eradicating profiteering at district, tehsil and divisional levels; recovering illegally occupied public and private land; restoring the public’s confidence, especially investors and vulnerable groups, by acting against land mafias; enhancing law enforcement through transparent investigations and robust prosecution, and changing the culture of weak legal implementation across Punjab.

In the next phase, the PERA will establish its headquarters, enforcement lines, and training cells across Punjab.