Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, officially launched the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) on Monday, describing it as a protective shield for the oppressed and a formidable force against wrongdoers. Speaking at the launch event, she highlighted PERA’s critical role in tackling inflation, land grabbing, hoarding, and encroachments, promising a new era of efficient and accountable law enforcement in the province.
In her address as chief guest, CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized the swift development of the initiative, revealing that PERA was conceived and made operational within just eight months. She pointed out the absence of a specialized institution for price control in Punjab, where such responsibilities were previously managed informally by commissioners, deputy commissioners, and revenue officials.
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“We can’t keep chasing inflation, profiteering, and illegal encroachments without a structured approach,” she said, stressing that PERA was created after a realistic assessment of on-ground challenges.
The Chief Minister commended Director General Captain (R) Farukh Atiq for his leadership in building the authority and expressed confidence in the young force’s dedication. “Every officer in PERA will serve as a guardian for the marginalized and a source of fear for those who exploit others,” she declared.
Maryam Nawaz announced that PERA would become fully operational in Lahore next week, with plans to expand across all 144 tehsils of Punjab. The authority will be equipped with hundreds of vehicles and advanced digital tools to enhance service delivery. She reaffirmed her belief in the potential of youth, while also acknowledging the value of experienced advisors. “I have always believed in the strength and energy of young people,” she said.
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Referring to PERA as her “eyes and ears,” the CM called on the force to uphold integrity and earn public trust. “PERA will combat hoarding, enforce price control, and respond to injustice. When profiteers go unchecked, prices soar beyond the reach of the average citizen—but that will no longer be the case,” she asserted.
Sending a clear message on accountability, Maryam Nawaz shared a recent incident where a police officer fined her own son. She praised the officer’s impartiality and her son’s acceptance of the fine, stating, “The law must apply equally to the powerful and the poor.”
Maryam Nawaz talks about her son Junaid’s challan:
“Noone is above the law” pic.twitter.com/ljZ3zcoMFK— Maryam Nawaz HQ (@MaryamNawazHQ) July 14, 2025
The CM also denounced the practice of “dala culture” — a reference to illicit intermediaries and influence peddling — noting that the police are actively cracking down on it. She revealed that some market raids were previously carried out by unauthorized individuals who engaged in extortion, ultimately harming the public.
Highlighting the positive impact of anti-encroachment efforts, she noted that shopkeepers were seeing increased sales and traffic flow had improved. “Markets that were once too narrow and unsafe for women are now becoming more accessible and secure,” she added.
Concluding her remarks, Maryam Nawaz urged PERA officers to serve with honesty, courage, and a strong sense of national duty. “Illegitimate earnings bring loss and hardship, but lawful income brings blessings. I admire those with bravery—those who falter under pressure have no place in my team,” she stated.