LAHORE (HRNW) – The Punjab Government has officially promulgated the “Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Ordinance 2026” to safeguard government installations and public property. Under this new legislation, strict legal penalties have been established for individuals involved in stealing, damaging, or tampering with public infrastructure, including manhole covers, streetlights, protective fencing, and other essential utilities.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department, the penalties under the new ordinance are as follows:
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Damage to Public Property: Individuals found damaging government installations will face 1 to 3 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from 2 to 3 million PKR.
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Illegal Removal or Trade: Unauthorized removal, sale, or purchase of these installations will also result in 1 to 3 years of imprisonment and fines between 5 and 30 million PKR.
The spokesperson further emphasized that the scope of the ordinance has been broadened significantly. While previously focused on manhole covers, the law now strictly covers streetlights and various other core amenities to ensure the protection and sustainability of urban infrastructure for all citizens.
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