Govt plans 14 new mobile bazaars in City

LAHORE:The Punjab government planned to introduce 14 mobile bazaars in densely populated and high-traffic areas by removing encroachments and creating structured market spaces. The project is scheduled for completion within three to four months, after which it will be extended to smaller tehsils across the province.

This information was shared by Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority (PSBA) representative Naveed Rafaqat Ahmad after his meeting with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday. During the meeting, Naveed Rafaqat briefed the chief minister about the ‘Sahulat on the Go’ initiative, which aimed to make essential commodities more accessible and affordable through mobile bazaars. The project will begin as a pilot in the provincial capital before expanding to other districts. With a total investment of Rs630.50 million, the initiative is expected to generate Rs93.6 million in annual revenue.

He said that ‘Sahulat on the Go’ and other PSBA projects will operate on a self-sustaining financial model. This will ensure that the bazaars remain financially viable without relying on recurring government subsidies. The initiative also aimed to promote small businesses and local entrepreneurship by providing an affordable and regulated space for vendors to sell their goods.

He said the ‘Sahulat on the Go’ project aimed to establish mobile bazaars at strategic locations across the provincial capital, including Multan Road, Hanjarwal, Manga Mandi, Raiwind, G1 Market, Mustafa Town, Faisal Town, Moon Market, Bedian Road, Madr-e-Millat Road, Gulshan Ravi, Shahdara, Shadman, and Singhpura.

Each of these mobile markets will have around 60 stalls, providing an organised shopping experience and ensuring that essential commodities remain available at controlled prices. The government plans to replicate this model in other districts once the Lahore pilot proves successful.

To ensure smooth execution, the Chief Minister has also approved ‘seed money’ for PSBA, strengthening its institutional and operational capacity. This financial support will enable the authority to expand its mandate efficiently and oversee the swift implementation of all approved projects.

He said currently 36 permanent bazaars across 25 districts are being operated under PSBA, serving nearly 50 million customers annually. These bazaars provide a clean and organised shopping environment, offering products at prices 10-30% lower than market rates. Facilities such as free electricity, parking, security, and sanitation services make them attractive and consumer-friendly alternatives to unregulated markets.

Encouraged by the success of these markets, the Punjab government has approved Rs3.433 billion for the construction of 13 new permanent Sahulat Bazaars in key locations, including Noshera, Burewala, Jalalpur, and Sangla Hill. The initiative is expected to expand further, with district administrations directed to allocate land for new bazaars in Bahawalnagar, Attock, Rahim Yar Khan, and Murree.

Another step in ensuring the sustainability of these bazaars is the government’s decision to solarise all existing facilities. Following a successful pilot at Township Bazaar, where electricity costs were reduced from Rs1 million to Rs100,000 per month, the government has allocated Rs693 million to transition all Sahulat Bazaars to solar energy. This move will not only reduce operational expenses but also contribute to Punjab’s broader clean energy goals.