Latest news with #SahulatBazaars
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Maryam wants Sahulat Bazaars run on solar energy
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to operate the Sahulat Bazaars on solar energy. According to an official statement, she called for early completion of preparations to open 13 new Sahulat Bazaars in the province by August 13. The CM directed the authorities to set up the bazaars in Nowshehra Virkan, Burewala, Kabirwala, Sangla and Jalalpur, besides establishing additional markets in Bahawalpur, Attock and Murree. The chief minister directed the district administrations to allocate land for the convenience markets. She said, "Shifting to solar energy will reduce the electricity cost in the convenience markets by 70 per cent." She highlighted, "Benefit of reduction in electricity cost will be delivered to the people." A pilot project of switching a Sahulat Bazaar in the Township area in Lahore to solar energy has been completed. She directed the relevant authorities to release more than Rs690 million for switching Sahulat Bazaars in the province to solar energy. The chief minister directed the officials concerned to remove obstacles in the establishment of Sahulat Bazaars in Jhelum, Muzaffargarh and Narowal. She called for completing the process of identifying land for the bazaars in Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Attock and Murree as soon as possible. She said, "The aim of establishing Sahulat Bazaars is to provide food items to the members of down-trodden segments of society at low prices. Under the vision of Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, inflation is being eliminated."
1732012115-0%2FUntitled-design-(14)1732012115-0.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
CM Punjab approves 13 new sahulat bazaars across province
Listen to article Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the establishment of 13 new Sahulat Bazaars across the province to provide affordable goods to the public. The new markets, aimed at offering essential food items at reduced prices, will be set up in areas including Nowshera Warkan, Burewala, Kabirwala, Sangla Hill, and Jalalpur. Additional markets will also be established in Bahawalpur, Attock, and Murree. The projects are slated for completion by August, with district administrations instructed to allocate land for the bazaars. These markets will also be powered by solar energy, which is expected to reduce electricity costs by up to 70%, with the savings passed on to the public in the form of lower prices. An approval of over Rs690 million has been granted for the solar energy conversion of the bazaars. The initiative is in line with the vision of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to eliminate inflation and provide low-income and middle-class families with access to affordable food.
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
A model of public service
As the holy month of Ramazan, filled with blessings and mercy, nears its conclusion, the Punjab government remains steadfast in its mission to provide maximum relief to citizens. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial administration has worked tirelessly to ensure quality facilities and affordable essentials for the public during this sacred month. Historically, Ramazan in Punjablike elsewherehas been marked by steep price hikes and shortages of essential items. However, this year, the chief minister and her team have rewritten that narrative. Across neighbourhoods and markets, citizens are acknowledging, many for the first time, that the prices of groceries, fruits, and vegetables have remained stable, with ample supplies available at reasonable rates. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, her cabinet, and district administrations across Punjab have personally monitored Ramazan bazaars and general markets to inspect the quality and pricing of goods. When the province's chief executive actively engages on the ground to deliver relief to the common citizen, the impact is tangible. People are not only experiencing this relief firsthand but are also openly expressing gratitude for a government that prioritizes action over hollow promises. For Maryam Nawaz, governance is not about grand slogans or empty philosophiesit is about grassroots work and delivering real benefits to the people. This year, the Punjab government introduced two landmark programmes: the Ramazan Nigahban Package and the Ramazan Sahulat Bazaars. Unlike previous years, when only a handful of subsidised items were available in Ramazan bazaarsoften leading to long queues for flour and sugarthis year's Sahulat Bazaars ensured a seamless experience. A total of 80 Ramazan Sahulat Bazaars were established across Punjab, offering not only flour and sugar but also a wide range of essentials in abundant quantities. Over 12 million citizens have benefited from these bazaars, with no shortages or chaotic lines reported. Building on last year's success of doorstep ration delivery, the Punjab government this year distributed Rs10,000 per family to three million deserving households under the Nigahban Package. The transparent disbursement of Rs30 billion in aidwithout political favouritism or bureaucratic delaysstands as a testament to the administration's efficiency. Eligible families registered through a merit-based system, with no interference from political representatives. This dignified approach ensured that aid reached those who truly needed it. While Punjab's initiatives set a benchmark, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's Ramazan relief efforts tell a different story. The K-P cabinet approved a Rs10 billion package only midway through Ramazan, with funds allegedly distributed among Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members and loyalists. Reports suggest that ordinary citizens in K-P received no substantial relief, exposing the disparity between claims of "change" and actual governance. Under Maryam Nawaz Sharif's leadership, Punjab has launched over 80 public welfare projects without a single allegation of corruptiona rarity in Pakistan's political landscape. This reflects a governance model rooted in integrity, public service, and accountability. When leaders prioritise people's welfare, manage public funds transparently, and uphold merit, the results speak for themselves. Maryam Nawaz Sharif has redefined public service in Punjab, setting a new standard for proactive and compassionate governance. The overwhelming public appreciation for the Ramazan initiatives underscores their success. As the province looks ahead, citizens are optimistic that this momentum of service and relief will continue over the next four years. For now, Ramazan 2025 in Punjab will be remembered not just as a month of spiritual reflection but as a milestone in people-centred governance. In the words of a citizen, "When intentions are pure and leadership is committed, even the toughest challenges turn into opportunities for service."
Express Tribune
28-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Soaring prices push citizens to the brink
RAWALPINDI: Households across Pakistan continue to grapple with a staggering 30-40 per cent hike in the prices of essential commodities. Despite government interventions, inflation relentlessly impacted every aspect of daily life, leaving citizens reeling. Efforts to stabilise prices failed, with manufacturers adopting subtle tactics like reducing the quantity in packaged goods without lowering costs. For instance, a 1-kilogramme pack of tea now weighs 900 grams, while sacks of flour and other staple goods have similarly shrunk in weight. Yet, prices remain unaffected, if not higher, exposing consumers to an ongoing squeeze. A snapshot of last year's price escalation reveals the grim reality. Rice, which sold for Rs280 per kilogramme in January 2024, now costs Rs380. Ghee has jumped from Rs450 to Rs550, while cooking oil climbed from Rs500 to Rs560. Pulses like Black Lentils saw a meteoric rise from Rs350 to Rs560 per kilogramme. Similarly, milk prices inched up from Rs200 to Rs220 per litre, and spices now cost Rs500 per kilogramme, up from Rs350 at the year's start. Other items have followed the same trend. Ginger, garlic, bakery goods, and even roti and naan have seen price hikes that disproportionately affect consumers. A cup of tea, which was Rs50 last December, now costs Rs80, while naan prices rose from Rs25 to Rs30. Tandoor (oven) operators cite increased flour costs and subsidy cuts for the shrinking size of red flour bread, forcing labourers to double their purchase just to meet their basic dietary needs. The situation has been exacerbated by spiralling fuel costs, with petrol and diesel prices directly impacting transportation and supply chain expenses. Central Grocery Merchants Association President Saleem Pervaiz Butt attributed the inflation to a combination of rising fuel prices, government taxation, and a weakening rupee. He warned that the trend shows no signs of abating. Efforts like the Punjab government's "Sasta Sahulat Bazaars" have also failed to provide relief, with 16 markets and 24 subsidised cart bazaars shutting down due to mismanagement and soaring costs. Even official price lists issued by the District Market Committee (DPC) have become unreliable, with open-market rates often exceeding them by Rs40 to Rs100. With no immediate solutions in sight, the relentless rise in living costs paints a bleak picture for the coming year, particularly for low-income groups who bear the brunt of inflation's crushing weight. The crisis extends beyond food. Livestock prices have surged dramatically, with buffaloes now costing Rs0.8 million to Rs1 milliona steep increase from last year's Rs0.5 million to Rs0.6 million range. This rise is attributed to a 300 per cent hike in fodder costs, as per Chaudhry Khurram, Vice President of the Cattle Union. Shafiq Qureshi, President of the Nanbai Association, highlighted that flour prices continue to climb monthly, predicting even higher rates in 2025. The cost of a 50-kilogram sack of flour has already risen from Rs6,900 to Rs9,000 this year alone.
