Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia of the Bahawalpur division stated on Tuesday that the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) is playing a pivotal role in promoting public service, rule of law, and transparent governance in line with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of “Respect Before Enforcement”. He said the establishment of the PERA force marks a significant step toward building a fair and effective administrative system aimed at ensuring impartial enforcement of laws while delivering services to citizens with dignity, courtesy, and justice.
PERA Divisional Conference Held at Islamia University
The commissioner expressed these views while presiding over the PERA Divisional Conference held at Ghulam Muhammad Ghotvi Hall at the Abbasia Campus of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur. The conference was attended by Deputy Commissioner Bahawalpur Syed Hassan Raza, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Dr Ayesha Khan, assistant commissioners from all tehsils of the division, sub-divisional enforcement officers, officials from relevant departments, and PERA personnel representing various districts and tehsils.
Integrity and Professionalism Stressed
Addressing the participants, Commissioner Kathia said that while enforcing the law was a fundamental responsibility of every government official, demonstrating integrity, patience, tolerance, and professionalism during the performance of duty is equally important. He stressed that legal action should always be taken in accordance with the law, but under no circumstances should citizens be subjected to rude behaviour, abusive language, unnecessary confrontation, or disrespect. He noted that the true identity of a responsible public institution is reflected in the character, courtesy, and public-friendly attitude of its officials.
Zero Tolerance for Misconduct
The commissioner advised PERA personnel not to let personal ego influence their conduct and urged them to safeguard the dignity, reputation, and credibility of the institution at all times. He warned that the inappropriate behavior of even a single official could tarnish the image of the entire department, making it essential for every officer to maintain exemplary conduct. He further directed personnel to limit unnecessary arguments and always interact with citizens respectfully, politely, and with patience. Emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards unethical conduct, he made it clear that any misuse of authority, misconduct, discourteous behavior, or mistreatment of the public would not be tolerated.
Monitoring and Training Mandated
Commissioner Kathia also directed assistant commissioners, sub-divisional enforcement officers, and other supervisory officials to closely monitor PERA personnel and ensure that no complaints regarding public conduct arise. He underscored that, alongside professional training, comprehensive ethical and behavioral training was indispensable so that officers could perform their responsibilities with restraint, compassion, and professionalism. He warned that any official who continued to engage in arguments with citizens, displayed rude behaviour, or violated ethical standards despite receiving training would have no place in the department. He particularly emphasized that officials must exercise exceptional patience, wisdom, and responsibility while dealing with crowds or challenging situations, adding that a public servant’s true identity lies in his conduct, communication, and respectful treatment of citizens.
Infrastructure Progress in Bahawalpur Division
Speaking on the occasion, DC Syed Hassan Raza said that work on PERA’s infrastructure across Bahawalpur division was progressing rapidly. He informed participants that construction of the PERA station in Yazman was in its final stages and would soon be completed. He further stated that separate PERA stations were being established for Bahawalpur City and Bahawalpur Sadr, while similar facilities were also under development in Hasilpur, Ahmadpur East, and Khairpur Tamewali. These initiatives, he said, were aimed at strengthening law enforcement and improving the delivery of administrative services throughout the division.
Modernization and Capacity Building
The DC added that, in accordance with the directions of the Punjab government, all available resources were being utilised to transform PERA into a modern, efficient, and citizen-friendly institution. Efforts were also underway to enhance the professional capacity of PERA personnel, equip them with modern skills, and further improve the quality of public service delivery, he added.
