Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reviewing secuirty arrangements ahead of Muharram. SCREENGRAB
LAHORE:
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday ordered the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) to adopt a people-friendly approach, warning that arrogance, misuse of authority and corruption would not be tolerated, as the new force continues to face complaints from traders and repeated allegations of harassment despite receiving strong institutional backing from the provincial government.
Chairing a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review PERA’s performance, the chief minister directed the authority to make digital requisitions mandatory for monitoring enforcement operations, further activate the “Ask PERA” portal for prompt resolution of public complaints and strengthen direct engagement with citizens.
She made it clear that the culture of ordering people around with phrases such as “pick up your belongings and leave” had no place in the organisation.
“PERA’s goodwill will not be compromised,” the chief minister said, adding that officers who intimidate citizens or misuse their authority had no place in the force. Referring to the authority’s legal performance, she said its 99% conviction rate reflected effective enforcement but stressed that operational success should not come at the cost of public confidence.
CM Maryam also ordered that notices and warnings be issued before anti-encroachment operations and directed that, except for anti-encroachment and price control drives, all enforcement actions should be backed by prior digital requisitions.
She reiterated that corruption and abuse of authority would not be tolerated and said investigation officers would no longer be transferred upon recommendations.
The directives come weeks after the chief minister had ordered mandatory body cameras for PERA officials by June 30 to improve transparency and prevent misuse of authority.