LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday launched the Punjab Enforcement Regulatory Authority (PERA), declaring it a game-changing force against inflation, encroachments, and lawlessness. She said PERA would become a “symbol of terror for the oppressors” and act as the government’s eyes and ears on the ground, again stressing that law would now be visible in action across the province.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz again praised the swift establishment of the authority, which had been conceived just eight months ago and is now fully functional. “This dream has become a reality,” she said, again crediting PERA’s Director General, retired Captain Farrukh Atiq, for executing the vision professionally and efficiently. PERA will begin operations next week in Lahore and gradually expand across Punjab with a force of approximately 8,500 personnel.
The Chief Minister again underlined PERA’s core mission: to combat illegal profiteering, hoarding, and encroachments, and to restore the rule of law in marketplaces and urban areas. “PERA will be an iron wall before the oppressor and a beacon of hope for the oppressed,” she stated, again promising that the law would no longer remain confined to paper but would be actively enforced on the streets.
Speaking about the failure of previous price control systems, Ms Nawaz again highlighted the flaws in the existing framework, saying it was riddled with corruption and inefficiency. “Magistrates had outsourced their authority to people who collected bribes instead of ensuring fair pricing,” she said, again emphasising that PERA was developed to replace that broken system with a disciplined, transparent force.
PERA, she said, is already making an impact. She shared that anti-encroachment operations had cleared public spaces, again improving safety and accessibility — especially for women. “Women are sending me messages saying they no longer face harassment in narrow markets,” she noted, again pointing to traders who have reported increased footfall and sales.
Reinforcing her message that no one is above the law, Ms Nawaz recounted a recent incident involving her son, Junaid Safdar, who was issued a traffic challan by a police officer unaware of his identity. “Junaid told him, ‘Do your duty.’ And I later called the officer to personally congratulate him,” she said, again insisting that accountability must apply to everyone equally, regardless of power or position.
The Chief Minister again described PERA as more than a law enforcement body. “PERA is not just a force — it’s a movement,” she said, again expressing pride in the recruitment of young, dynamic individuals who reflect the future of public service. She added that her interviews always favour the youth, reiterating that this new generation is central to Punjab’s reform.
Acknowledging the vital coordination among departments, Ms Nawaz thanked Punjab IG Police Dr Usman Anwar for his support, again stating that the successful launch of PERA would not have been possible without inter-agency collaboration.
Billions have been allocated to PERA, which the CM again positioned as a cornerstone of her government’s strategy to combat inflation, land grabbing, and corruption. “The bigger the violator, the stronger PERA’s grip will be,” she warned.
Calling for a cultural shift, Maryam Nawaz again criticised the outdated belief that law is only meant for the powerless. “It is time to change that thinking,” she said, again vowing that the law will serve the people — and be enforced without fear or favour.
“Serving the people of Punjab is not a choice,” she concluded. “It is my duty. And it is not enough to make laws — we must again and again ensure they are implemented.”
