What happened

According to Dawn, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered the immediate removal of Jhang Deputy Commissioner Babar Sahib Din following the unauthorized deployment of an official Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (Pera) vehicle in a jeep rally. The decision was triggered by a video posted on social media showing the regulatory vehicle participating in the event. The provincial Services and General Administration Department subsequently issued a formal notification transferring the official with immediate effect and directing him to report to the department for further orders.

Key facts

  • The deployment occurred during the three-day Jhang Thal Jeep Rally, which concluded last week and was arranged alongside private sponsors.
  • Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated on X that utilizing regulatory vehicles for non-serious purposes outside their official duties violates administrative policy and discipline.
  • In response to claims that the vehicle was present for rescue and security, the Chief Minister clarified that security is handled by police and emergency services by Rescue 1122, noting neither task falls within Pera's legal duties.
  • Pera Director General Farrukh Atiq Khan issued a directive on October 21 instructing officials to retrieve Pera double-cabin vehicles from any unauthorized allocations.
  • Details regarding who will replace the transferred official were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Why it matters

According to Dawn, the disciplinary measure follows earlier concerns regarding Pera's operational integrity. Established last year to oversee price control and anti-encroachment operations in Punjab, the agency faced complaints in May regarding bribery and public harassment. Consequently, the Chief Minister previously instituted reforms, including a June 30 deadline for field staff to wear body cameras and directions to upgrade Pera's whistleblower and internal intelligence systems.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 25, 2026 · Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash