Punjab Ordinance 2026 Imposes Harsh Penalties For Infrastructure Theft

On February 23, 2026, the Punjab government enacted the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Ordinance 2026, which introduces severe penalties for theft and vandalism of public infrastructure. This law was prompted by a significant rise in incidents involving missing manhole covers and streetlights, which pose serious safety risks to the public. Under this ordinance, individuals found guilty of stealing public installations face imprisonment ranging from one to three years, along with fines between Rs200,000 and Rs3 million. The ordinance also targets scrap dealers and re-rolling plants involved in the illegal trade of stolen public materials, imposing penalties of up to three years in prison and fines from Rs1 million to Rs10 million for offenders. As reported by Dunya News, "the law is expected to strengthen enforcement against organised theft operations targeting government property across the province."