LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday directed the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) to strengthen its public complaints portal for the prompt resolution of citizens’ grievances and instructed its head to enhance direct public engagement and outreach.

Presiding over a meeting held to review Pera’s performance, digitisation, legal framework and future roadmap here on Monday, the CM said digital requisition would now be mandatory for Pera operations to ensure transparency and effective monitoring.

Following corruption complaints against the Pera, CM Maryam had ordered a crackdown on its officials involved in illegal actions and harassing the public.

She had set a deadline of June 30 for the field officials to wear body cams in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability, which could not be met.

She had also ordered scrutiny of 4,000 Pera personnel

“The Pera personnel and officers found involved in unlawful operations may face not only three days of detention, but up to three years in prison also. The record of every individual in Pera will be scrutinised. Their past conduct will also be reviewed. Those with clean record should remain fearless, but the corrupt must be prepared [for accountability],” she had declared.

The Pera Force, created in the middle of last year, was aimed at conducting anti-encroachment and price control operations across Punjab. Of late, complaints had been pouring in about the force’s officials taking bribes from vendors and shopkeepers.

The chief minister on Monday ordered that anti-encroachment operations must be preceded by due notices and warnings to the public.

She further directed that except for anti-encroachment and price control operations, all enforcement actions must be carried out only after prior digital requisition.

She said there was no place in Pera for officials who intimidated the public or misused their authority. “Corruption and abuse of powers will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” she said, directing strict compliance with Pera requisition rules.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2026