Punjab to launch 100 Sahulat Bazaars

LAHORE:Punjab government, in a bold and visionary move that redefines public market access, has announced the establishment of 100 new Sahulat Bazaars across the province — a historic intervention to combat inflation, restore price stability, and provide year-round relief to millions of citizens.

Declared a Special Chief Minister’s Initiative in the FY 2025–26 budget, the project carries a massive Rs10 billion allocation, making it one of the largest targeted public welfare programs in Punjab’s history. Rejecting the outdated practice of spending billions annually on short-term Ramazan Bazaars, this initiative institutionalises permanent, purpose-built structures in every tehsil of Punjab, offering daily-use essentials at officially notified rates — clean, regulated, dignified marketplaces for everyday public benefit. These Sahulat Bazaars will serve as year-round anchors of relief, not seasonal handouts.

The construction of 13 Sahulat Bazaars is already underway, including in Jaranwala, Pattoki, Sharaqpur, Muzaffargarh, Okara, Khanewal, Narowal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Chunian, Wazirabad, Bhalwal, Noshehra Virkan, Jalalpur (Multan), and Burewala. Rs3.4 billion has already been released for these sites, which are expected to be operational by August 2025. Innovative extensions like “Sahulat On the Go” are also reshaping urban accessibility — with mobile markets launched across 15 hotspots in Lahore, ensuring access to government-priced essentials while discouraging illegal encroachments and informal profiteering. Complementary interventions include free home delivery services, Sahulat Stalls offering below-notified prices, full solarisation of operational bazaars, and the upgradation of 36 existing facilities across Punjab.

Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority (PSBA) head Naveed Rafaqat Ahmad affirmed that the government has prioritised this project with unmatched urgency. “In line with the vision of CM and under the direct supervision of Chairperson Afzal Khokhar, all 100 Sahulat Bazaars will be fully functional well before Ramazan. A division-wise execution plan has already been finalised, and construction activities will begin immediately upon land allocation.” To fast-track implementation, Secretary PC&CMD, Dr Ehsan Bhutta convened a high-level meeting on the Chief Minister’s Special Initiatives, setting strict deadlines for submission of concept papers to the Planning & Development Board to enable early release of development funds.