The government of Punjab has approved the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Ordinance 2026, introducing stringent legal measures to curb the theft, vandalism, and illegal trade of government installations across the province.
Enacted under the directive of the Chief Minister, the ordinance aims to dismantle mafias and organized groups involved in stealing and damaging public infrastructure.
The expanded legal framework now covers a wide range of government installations, including manhole covers, streetlights, protective fences, and other public facilities.
Under the new law, theft of government installations will carry a prison term of one to three years along with fines ranging from Rs200,000 to Rs3,000,000.
Unauthorized removal, dismantling, or trading of such installations will also attract one to three years of imprisonment and fines between Rs 500,000 and Rs 3,000,000.
Those found guilty of damaging government infrastructure may face imprisonment from three months to one year and fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs200,000.
The ordinance also introduces strict penalties for scrap dealers and re-rolling plants found involved in the purchase or sale of stolen public property.
Offenders in this category may face up to three years in prison and fines between Rs1,000,000 and Rs10,000,000. Repeat offenders could be handed prison terms of three to six years, along with fines ranging from Rs300,000 to Rs10,000,000.
Authorities have further clarified that in cases where damage to public installations results in loss of life, relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code will also be invoked, potentially leading to more severe criminal charges.