DC Jhang removed after PERA vehicle appears in private jeep rally

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the immediate removal of Jhang Deputy Commissioner Babar Sahib Din

LAHORE : Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the immediate removal of Jhang Deputy Commissioner Babar Sahib Din following the circulation of a video showing a vehicle belonging to the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) participating in a jeep rally in the district.

The Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) issued a notification on October 25, 2026, transferring Babar Sahib Din, a BS-18 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, with immediate effect. He has been directed to report to S&GAD for further orders and placed on the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) list.

The action followed a viral social media video showing a black Toyota Hilux double-cabin pickup bearing the PERA logo moving alongside a Land Cruiser and other luxury vehicles on a dusty track in Jhang. The footage also showed a man wearing a blue shirt hanging from the side of the moving government vehicle, raising questions about safety procedures.

According to Jhang District Information Officer Riaz Marth, the event was part of the three-day Jhang Thal Jeep Rally, which concluded last week and was organised in collaboration with private sponsors. The rally was reportedly linked to the protocol of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Saqib Chadhar.

CM questions use of PERA resources

Taking notice of the footage, Maryam Nawaz said deploying the resources of a regulatory authority for activities outside its prescribed mandate constituted a serious breach of administrative discipline and established policy.

She ordered the deputy commissioner’s removal, stressing that government resources must be used strictly for their intended purposes.

Responding to claims that the vehicle had been deployed for security and rescue arrangements, the chief minister clarified that security fell within the responsibilities of the police, while emergency response and rescue operations were handled by Rescue 1122.

She said neither function fell within PERA’s statutory mandate, raising questions about the justification for using its vehicle at the rally.

What is PERA and why does its mandate matter?

The Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority was established under the Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Act 2024, enacted on October 17, 2024. The provincial authority was created to enforce regulations concerning price control, hoarding, profiteering, encroachments and other public welfare matters.

According to the information provided, PERA has more than 8,000 employees, 154 enforcement stations and 8,500 sanctioned posts. Its authorised functions include inspections, seizures, arrests and penalties under applicable laws.

The authority’s vehicles and personnel are intended for official enforcement duties, rather than private events, VIP protocol or personal functions.

Accountability and administrative discipline

The removal has prompted discussion within journalistic and administrative circles about the use of government resources for private events and the accountability of officials who provide such facilities.

Some observers have also questioned whether elected representatives who receive official protocol should face scrutiny alongside government officers responsible for its deployment.

The supplied report further states that an inquiry has been ordered into the role of the concerned PERA personnel. However, the specific findings of any inquiry have not been provided.

The action sends a message about the importance of maintaining administrative discipline and preventing the misuse of public resources. The circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s deployment and the responsibility of the officials involved remain matters requiring clear and transparent investigation.