Weekly bazaars bring relief to people

Buyers hope that initiative will curb artificial shortage and price hike

KARACHI:

The weekly bachat bazaars in Karachi have become a means of providing relief to the people from inflation. In the bachat bazaars, stalls selling used items, shoes, clothes, blankets, utensils, food items, vegetables and fruits are helping the public to cope with inflation.

About 150 bachat bazaars are being set up in Karachi under the NOC of Bureau of Supply and Prices whereas the number of bachat bazaars with the permission of Deputy Commissioners and regional savings bazaars without NOC is around 100.

In bachat bazaars, vegetables are being sold at much lower prices than the prices in open markets and super stores which has helped citizens to buy groceries for whole week. Vegetables are being sold at 30 to 40 per cent lower prices in the Sunday Bazaar in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

According to the market management, the citizens who come for shopping, pay the price according to the official price list displayed at each stall along with a price of stall holder.

The bachat bazaar in Karachi started reopening at the end of September 2021 after remaining suspended for more than a year and a half.

Buyers have hoped that with this initiative artificial shortage and exorbitant rise in prices of essential items created by hoarders and profiteers will be curbed.