Punjab Sahulat Bazaars win public trust as survey shows strong satisfaction

• Survey finds 82pc prices lower than market rates, 88pc consumers satisfied with quality

• Maryam Nawaz’s relief initiative offers food items at subsidised rates across the province

• 49 permanent bazaars operational; Lahore hosts 10 bazaars and 15 ‘Sahulat on the Go’ units

• CM condemns terror attack in Lakki Marwat, mourns police martyrs

 LAHORE: Acting on the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, food items are being sold at subsidised rates in Sahulat Bazaars across the province, with a recent survey showing strong public satisfaction with both prices and product quality.

According to a survey conducted by the Directorate General Monitoring and Evaluation, 82 per cent of prices in Sahulat Bazaars are lower than prevailing market rates, while 88 per cent of consumers expressed satisfaction with the quality and freshness of the products available at these markets. The survey further revealed that more than 90 per cent of shoppers appreciated the accessibility of the bazaars and the sense of safety at these locations.

The chief minister praised citizens for record purchases at Sahulat Bazaars and commended the administration, the PERA force and the Suthra Punjab teams for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, monitoring and quality control at these facilities. She also directed the authorities concerned to establish additional Sahulat Bazaars in Lahore to further facilitate the public and expand access to affordable food items.

Maryam Nawaz termed the participation of 52.4 per cent women in the “Sahulat on the Go” initiative as encouraging and congratulated Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority Chairman Afzal Khokhar for successfully launching the initiative aimed at expanding outreach and convenience for consumers.

The survey report further indicated that 91 per cent of vendors in conventional Sahulat Bazaars expressed satisfaction with the low stall rents, while more than 85 per cent of “Sahulat on the Go” dealers were satisfied with the affordable rental arrangements and infrastructural support provided by the authorities. Overall, 72.6 per cent of shoppers were men and 26.2 per cent were women, reflecting broad public participation in the initiative.

At present, 49 permanent Sahulat Bazaars are fully operational across Punjab. In Lahore alone, 10 permanent Sahulat Bazaars and 15 “Sahulat on the Go” units are functioning, while 11 temporary Ramazan bazaars have also been established across the province to provide additional relief during the holy month.

CM Maryam Nawaz said that public relief must not remain a mere slogan but should be visible, measurable and easily accessible to citizens. She noted that satisfaction levels exceeding 80 per cent across all categories clearly reflected the tangible benefits reaching the public, adding that Sahulat Bazaars were also creating a structured and supportive business environment for small traders.

Punjab CM condemns terrorist attack in Lakki Marwat

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz strongly condemned the terrorist attack near a police vehicle in Lakki Marwat.

The chief minister expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of the SHO and other police personnel in the attack, extending heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families of the martyrs.

Maryam Nawaz prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and for strength and patience for their families, while also wishing a speedy recovery for those injured in the incident.