PHOTO: REUTERS

Unofficial Sunday markets spring up across Pindi

Home delivery service started in Pindi, marriage hall turned into isolation centre


​ Our Correspondents April 06, 2020
ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: With all official weekly Sunday markets suspended in the wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic — which has resulted in over 120 cases in the twin cities, some traders and pushcart owners formed their own, unofficial Sunday market in parts of Rawalpindi on Sunday, drawing huge crowds on the 13th consecutive day of the lockdown.

Different vegetables, fruits, and other vendors established make-shift markets in different areas of the city, including at Committee Chowk, Chohar Harpal, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Koth Kalana and Morgah.

Some of the markets came to life in areas where the official Sunday markets are held.

Most stall operators were those who have been dealing with financial difficulties owing to the closure of markets and restricted timings to sell their goods and make a quick buck.

People swarmed these make-shift bazaars in large numbers to buy essential goods including vegetables and fruits. Many people prefer to do their groceries at weekly markets because they believe the prices are slightly cheaper there than those in regular markets.

Apart from flouting the ban on setting up weekly bazaars, neither the vendors nor visitors took any kind of precautionary measures such as those prescribed under social distancing. Hence, people could be seen clumped around pushcarts and stalls with the usual hustle and bustle of a market.

Despite the pandemic threat, a police van from the Waris Khan Station, standing guard nearby with two officers inside, acted as silent spectators at one of the markets.

Grocers to deliver items

Following in the footsteps of the Islamabad district administration, the Rawalpindi district administration has designated some 69 shops and marts from where people can call and have groceries and other essential items delivered to their door. The move is aimed at curtailing public movement.

In this regard, the district administration has released a list of stores and telephone numbers of the relevant personnel there.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Captain (retired) Anwaarul Haq said that people can benefit from this service to obtain essential items safely during the lockdown.

He added that areas, where positive cases had surfaced, remain sealed, either completely or partially.

Capt Haq added that the district administration, police, and welfare organisations are busy helping the unprivileged people during this difficult time.

He also expressed his satisfaction over the recovery of some Covid-19 patients in the garrison city.

Prices go up

Citing complications and delays in the supply of goods, the prices of some essential items have increased in recent days.

A kilogramme (kg) of potatoes was being sold for Rs40 in Rawalpindi on Sunday, while tomatoes were being sold for Rs30. Onions were being sold for as much as Rs70 per kg, while the price of a bundle of mint leaves was Rs20.

Dairy products such as milk were being sold for Rs80 per litre. However, the prices of meat have stabilised. Chicken was being sold for Rs125 per kg.

Traders demand relief package

The trading and business community of Punjab has asked the government to announce a relief package for them, including deferring taxes for a year.

Punjab Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajiran President Malik Shahid Ghafoor chaired a meeting of members on Sunday via video-link. The meeting was attended by various other traders and office-bearers of the organisation.

The participants deliberated over the lockdown and the prevailing situation. They offered several recommendations to the government to cope with the situation.

Ghafoor said that the traders’ community has always supported the government during difficult situations. However, he added that due to the extended closure of businesses, the traders and their families were facing a difficult time.

“We are becoming patients of depression,” he said, adding that they were extremely worried about how will continue bearing expenses should the lockdown continue.

“The [economic] situation has worsened due to the lockdown,” he said, adding that the government must allow them to open markets until 5pm to help sustain them financially.

He further demanded that the government announce a relief package for them besides deferring collection of all applicable taxes for a year.

Marriage hall as quarantine centre

Government officials have joined hands with the government in the fight against coronavirus, offering their properties to be used as quarantine centres.

Punjab Revenue Secretary Adnan Chaudhry had offered up three of his properties as quarantine centres including two mansions and a marriage hall. The offer was accepted by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

A marriage hall located on Bostan Road has a total area of six kanals while the two mansions are located in Chakala scheme 3, each sprawling over four kanals.

Seven inmates cleared

The Adiala Jail administration on Sunday said that that seven Covid-19 suspects, who had been segregated from other inmates after they displayed symptoms similar to the virus, have tested negative.

Earlier, these suspects had complained of suffering from flu and fever after which they were shifted to two, isolated barracks — which have been converted into isolation facilities.

However, their test reports came back negative on Sunday. The jail administration added that of these prisoners, three are suffering from tuberculosis (TB), two from asthma while others had just contracted fever and flu. They added that all related suspects were being treated accordingly.

Trails keep getting visitors

Despite a lockdown, residents of the federal capital continued to visit the trails in the Margalla Hills.

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Assistant Director Sakhawat Ali told APP that some irresponsible residents were flouting the restrictions imposed by the government to mitigate the risk of the outbreak.

“IWMB staff and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police officials are deputed at the entrance of all the trails. However, regular and expert hikers are using short routes and alternate passages to venture into the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP),” he said.

Noting that only a few were violating the ban so far, they still pose a serious threat of spreading the disease. With parked cars an indication of visitors, Ali said that cars were not being parked in the regular parking for the trail. Instead, they were being parked off-road in the woods

“IWMB rangers are patrolling in the National Park as it is the season for budding of Kachnar plant or Bauhinia Variegata.

Local communities dwelling in the National Park are also moving in the park for plucking of Kachnar flowers,” he said, adding that they were preventing residents from sawing off bushes of Kachnar plants or plucking its flowers.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM WIRES

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2020.

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