RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the establishment of new Sahulat bazaars across province. She set a deadline of August, 2025 for completing 13 ongoing Sahulat bazaar projects.
A review meeting about setting up new Sahulat bazaars in the province was held, chaired by the Chief Minister. The meeting decided in principle to establish additional markets in Bahawalpur, Attock, and Murree.
Maryam Nawaz asked for a detailed plan for setting up Sahulat bazaars throughout Punjab. New markets will be built in Nowshera Virkan, Burewala, Kabirwala, Sangla, and Jalalpur.
The Chief Minister ordered the quick completion of land identification for markets in Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Attock, and Murree.
She also directed district administrations to allocate land for these markets. Maryam Nawaz approved over 690 million rupees to shift the Sahulat bazaars to solar energy, which will reduce electricity costs by up to 70 percent. She instructed officials to remove obstacles in establishing markets in Jhelum, Muzaffargarh, and Narowal.
Maryam Nawaz said the purpose of these markets is to provide food items at low rates to the weaker and middle classes. She added that inflation is being tackled under the vision of Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
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Earlier, Punjab Model Bazaar Management Company CEO Naveed Rafakat briefed the Chief Minister, saying people saved 1.11 billion rupees on purchases at Sahulat bazaars during Ramadan. Special stalls at these markets offered 31 percent relief on various items.
The Chief Minister said they want to provide food items to the public at the lowest possible rates, and serving people and providing economic relief are top priorities. In her message on International Conscience Day, she said a living conscience is essential for humanity’s survival. She called it a day to renew the commitment to traditions of love, peace, and tolerance.
She noted that the issue of occupied Jammu and Kashmir has been knocking on the world’s conscience for seven decades. The helplessness of oppressed Muslims in Gaza is a moment of reflection for those observing International Conscience Day. She said maintaining a sense of conscience amid human needs is true humanity.
Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of three children in a fire in a village near Okara. She offered condolences to the grieving family and asked the Sahiwal Commissioner for a report on the incident.