Heavy Fines and Jail for Destroying Street Lights, Manholes

The Punjab government has approved the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Ordinance 2026 to prevent theft, damage, and illegal trade of manhole covers, streetlights, and other public infrastructure.

Under the new law, theft of government installations will result in one to three years of imprisonment and fines ranging from Rs200,000 to Rs3 million.

Individuals involved in removing public installations without authorisation, or engaging in their illegal sale or purchase, may also face one to three years in prison with fines between Rs500,000 and Rs3 million. Damaging public property will carry penalties of three months to one year in jail, along with fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs200,000.

The ordinance also targets scrap dealers and re-rolling plants involved in trading stolen public infrastructure. Offenders may face up to three years in prison and fines between Rs1 million and Rs10 million. In the case of repeat violations, imprisonment may extend to six years, with fines up to Rs10 million.

If such negligence leads to loss of life — for instance, due to uncovered manholes — relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, including those relating to culpable homicide or attempted murder, may also be invoked.

A spokesperson for the Punjab Housing Department said the legislation was introduced on the directives of the Chief Minister to crack down on gangs involved in stealing manhole covers and other public utilities. “Those damaging public property would receive no leniency,” the spokesperson said, adding that action would be taken without discrimination.