The Punjab government has raised the age threshold for protection of children under the provincial vagrancy law from 14 to 16 years and introduced tougher penalties for parents and guardians who involve children in begging or knowingly allow them to be used for soliciting alms. The Punjab Vagrancy (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, promulgated by Governor Punjab and published in the Punjab Gazette, also creates a new post of controller with province-wide powers to supervise anti-vagrancy operations, monitor welfare and detention facilities, maintain a centralised database and oversee the rehabilitation and reintegration of persons apprehended under the law.
The ordinance, promulgated under Article 128(1) of the Constitution, has come into force with an immediate effect. The notification, issued by the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department, states that the provincial assembly was not in session and that the governor was satisfied that circumstances existed requiring immediate action.