The Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority in Rawalpindi, created to curb inflation, hoarding and encroachments, continues to fall short of its primary mandate. Despite being established as a dedicated enforcement arm under the district administration, the authority has failed to clear major roads, leaving traffic congestion unaddressed across the city.
The Pera Force consists of 52 personnel led by Sub Divisional Enforcement Officer Muhammad Irfan. Equipped with 22 motorbikes, three single cabin vehicles and one double cabin vehicle, the team patrols the city to identify and remove roadside encroachments. However, the absence of trucks to transport confiscated items during operations remains a significant operational gap. Officials state that they must rely on municipal authorities for logistical assistance, which is often delayed or unavailable.
The district enforcement and regulatory board, chaired by the deputy commissioner and supported by senior police and administrative officials, oversees the force. Muhammad Irfan maintains that Pera has succeeded in clearing Murree Road and Iqbal Road. Yet ground reports show that encroachments persist across key commercial zones. Vendors and hawkers frequently return soon after teams leave, leading to an ongoing cycle of removal and re encroachment.
Local residents and traders confirm that encroachments remain deeply entrenched in high traffic areas including Raja Bazaar, Saidpur Road, College Road, Satellite Town Commercial Market, Sadigabad and Board Bazaar. Shopkeepers routinely lease their front spaces to hawkers, further blocking footpaths and narrowing traffic lanes. As a result motorists and pedestrians face daily inconvenience, compounded by the lack of designated parking facilities.
Residents also point to external pressures that hinder enforcement. Car dealer groups, influential individuals and commercial lobbies reportedly obstruct Pera operations during crackdowns. At the same time the authority is frequently diverted to price control detentions to generate performance statistics for higher authorities, weakening its core function of clearing roads.
Civic observers argue that sustainable improvements will only materialise when the district administration and municipal bodies commit to strict and consistent enforcement. They note that Rawalpindi’s recurring encroachment problems reflect broader governance shortcomings including inadequate urban planning, weak coordination and limited accountability.
