Punjab to open 27 new Sahulat Bazaars

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set a July deadline for the launch of 27 new Sahulat Bazaars across the province, according to an official statement.

The statement said 13 additional ‘Sahulat on the go’ bazaars would also be established in different districts. 1,300 new businesses would be launched through the 27 Sahulat Bazaars, while more than 600 direct jobs would be created.

According to the official statement, fruits, vegetables and other essential commodities at these markets would be sold at prices 40 per cent lower than open market rates and 18 per cent below prices notified by local administrations. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 850,000 households and generate annual savings of over Rs5.3 billion.

The statement further said vendors operating in the welfare markets were expected to see sales rise by 24 per cent and profits by 23 per cent. Shopkeepers in the Sahulat Bazaars would collectively save around Rs530 million every year because electricity, cleanliness and security services would be provided free of cost.

Each Sahulat Bazaar will be monitored through surveillance cameras linked to a central control room. A free home delivery service within a five-kilometre radius will also be provided within 40 minutes.

The new bazaars are planned for tehsils in Bhakkar, Mianwali, Pakpattan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Mandi Bahauddin, Rawalpindi, Attock and Jhelum. The project also includes districts Khanewal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Sialkot, Gujrat and Sargodha. The ‘Sahulat on the go’ bazaars will be set up in tehsils of Lahore, Jhelum, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi, Kasur and Faisalabad.

Maryam Nawaz said the provision of fruits and vegetables at reduced prices would offer practical economic relief to the public. She said the Sahulat Bazaars would provide a clean setting and make quality fruits, vegetables and other items available at affordable rates. She added that parking, seating arrangements and dedicated counters for senior citizens would be available, while clean drinking water, mosques and a family-friendly environment would also be ensured.

Development and drainage review

The chief minister also chaired a video-link meeting with deputy commissioners from across Punjab to review progress on the Punjab Development Plan and the Lahore Development Plan.

She was informed that around 40 per cent of the most critical work had been completed in 51 cities. The briefing said the first phase of the Lahore Development Plan had been completed, while 76 per cent of Phase II work was also complete. Maryam Nawaz directed officials to present the plan for Phase III and ordered that the ongoing phase be finished by the end of next month.

Officials told the meeting that 16,410 streets in Lahore were being upgraded, with work on 60 streets being carried out each day. Under the provincial plan, rainwater drainage work in 51 cities had reached an average completion level of 40 per cent.

The briefing said stormwater drainage work had reached 70 per cent in Kamalia, 65 per cent in Gojra, 55 per cent in Toba Tek Singh and Chichawatni, and 44 per cent in Joharabad and Jalalpur Jattan.

Maryam Nawaz was also informed that procurement work had started for machinery worth Rs6.6 billion, including 46 suction machines, 45 jetting machines, 100 dewatering sets and 77 desilting machines. The machinery is to be supplied to 52 cities by the end of June.

The chief minister directed authorities to make foolproof arrangements before the early monsoon season and said negligence would not be tolerated. She stressed the need to complete preparations in advance and ensure implementation of safety protocols.

After reviewing pictures of upgraded streets, she expressed satisfaction. She said many streets had previously resembled filthy cattle sheds and that residents, especially women, had long faced stagnant water, foul smell and access problems.

The briefing also stated that 85 per cent of the Ichhra Bazaar upgradation project had been completed. The chief minister said she intended to inaugurate the upgraded market.

She also directed the immediate repair of service roads across the province and ordered that roads dug up for development work must be restored without delay. She further ordered the upgradation of both service lanes along Ferozepur Road and directed the immediate removal of plastic bags from roads after storms.

Message on International Firefighters' Day

In a message issued on International Firefighters' Day, the chief minister said firefighters were being provided with the best safety gear, snorkels and vehicles. She added that fire hydrants had been installed in high-rise buildings and markets, while regular inspection of fire extinguishers in residential buildings was also being ensured.