Punjab to jail manhole and streetlight thieves for up to 3 years

Punjab has approved the Punjab Public Utilities Infrastructure Protection Ordinance 2026, introducing prison terms and significant fines for stealing, illegally removing, selling, or damaging public utility assets such as manhole covers and streetlights.

Officials said the measure was initiated after a rise in theft and vandalism affecting public installations across the province, with missing manhole covers repeatedly creating major safety risks.

Under the ordinance, theft of public utility installations can lead to one to three years’ imprisonment and fines ranging from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 3 million. Unauthorized removal, purchase, or sale of government installations carries similar jail terms with fines from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 3 million.

The law also targets scrapyards and re-rolling plants linked to stolen public materials, with penalties that can reach up to three years in prison and fines up to Rs. 10 million, and harsher punishments for repeat offenders.

Authorities added that if damage to public infrastructure results in loss of life, relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code may also be applied in addition to penalties under the ordinance.