CM Maryam visits Sahulat Bazaar Authority, reviews Ramazan price monitoring system

• Punjab CM reviews Ramazan bazaars, inspects Sahulat Bazaar Authority control room

• Informed 75 Nigahban Ramazan bazaars monitored centrally across province, while over 1,400 CCTV cameras enable round-the-clock price oversight

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday visited the Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority office and reviewed the monitoring mechanism for Ramazan bazaars established across the province.

During the visit, the chief minister toured the provincial control room and made a live call to a customer at the Mian Plaza Johar Town Ramazan Bazaar to obtain first-hand feedback on prices and facilities. She inquired about the rates of essential commodities, including potatoes, onions, ginger and spinach, and also reviewed displayed price lists, cleanliness arrangements and overall management of the bazaar.

A citizen, identified as Umar, informed the chief minister during the call that commodities at Ramazan bazaars were available at affordable rates in a clean environment, adding that he had visited the bazaar to purchase items according to a list given by his mother.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited the Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority office, where she inspected the provincial control room of the Sahulat Bazaar. During her visit, she inquired about the prices of essential vegetables, including potatoes, onions, ginger, and spinach,… pic.twitter.com/tz2lNGRgJ6

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Officials briefed the chief minister that a central monitoring system had been put in place for 75 Nigahban Ramazan bazaars across Punjab. These include 49 permanent sahulat bazaars, 15 mobile “Sahulat on the Go” units and 11 district bazaars, along with free home delivery services.

They said that more than 1,400 CCTV cameras had been installed at the bazaars, enabling round-the-clock monitoring through multiple screens at the control room. Officers monitor prices, assess the quality of fruits and vegetables, and promptly address complaints related to overcharging. Under a 24/7 feedback mechanism, around 600 citizens are contacted daily, while a dedicated helpline (0308-0800222) has also been established.

The chief minister was further informed that sahulat bazaars are currently functional in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Gujrat and Rawalpindi.

Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said essential commodities were being provided at rates lower than official DC prices, adding that digital monitoring and free home delivery services were helping reduce congestion in markets during the holy month of Ramazan.

CM directs stricter security measures during Ramazan

Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed authorities to further tighten security arrangements across the province during Ramazan.

She ordered the deployment of additional personnel at mosques, imambargahs, other places of worship, bazaars, markets and public places. Instructions were also issued for the installation of CCTV cameras, walkthrough gates and searchlights to ensure foolproof security.

The chief minister further directed police to enhance patrolling, snap checking and search operations in and around places of worship. She also ordered the formulation of a three-layer security plan at sensitive locations for Friday prayers and Taraweeh congregations, including the use of barriers and barbed wire.

Maryam Nawaz said that the protection of life and property of the public would be ensured at all costs during Ramazan.