Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority
Law enforcement agency in Punjab, Pakistan
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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]
| Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority پنجاب انفورسمنٹ اینڈ ریگولیٹری اتھارٹی | |
|---|---|
| |
| Abbreviation | PERA |
| Motto | Welfare of the Citizens |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 17 October 2024 |
| Employees | 8,000+ |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Punjab, Pakistan |
| Legal jurisdiction | Government of Punjab |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Agency executives |
|
| Parent agency | Government of Punjab Crime Control Department Punjab Police |
| Facilities | |
| Stations | 154 Enforcement Stations |
| Website | |
| pera | |
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 |