Sasta Ramazan Bazaar in limbo

As the holy month of Ramazan is just two weeks away, Rawalpindi faces a setback as the traditional setup of 16 Sasta Ramazan Bazaars and 23 Sasta Ramazan Cart Markets hangs in uncertainty.

For the first time in 45 years, the prospect of no Sasta Ramazan bazaars raises concerns among citizens, leaving them vulnerable to the profiteering practices in the open market.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) has not yet called a meeting for the establishment of Sasta Ramazan Bazaars, hindering the issuance of tenders for necessary equipment such as tents, chairs, tables, baskets, CCTV cameras, and canopies. The District Market Committee has also lagged in preparations, with only eleven days remaining until the start of the Ramazan.

The schedule for security duties in the bazaars remains unprepared, and no visible progress has been made regarding the setup of stalls and parking spaces in the customary locations. The Acting Chairman of the District Market Committee confirmed the lack of effort this time and highlighted the absence of any official notification or meeting by the district administration on the matter.

The Civil Defense Office, responsible for duty schedules of volunteers in the bazaars, has not yet received the roster.

This longstanding tradition of Sasta Ramazan Bazaars in Rawalpindi was started by former President General Ziaul Haq in 1979 and afterwards, every government continued to set up these bazaars during their tenure, but this time, for the first time Rawalpindi will be deprived of this facility.

Financial constraints pose a significant challenge this year, preventing the provision of subsidies on fruits, vegetables, and groceries in Ramazan bazaars.

District administration sources revealed that due to the severe financial crisis, a final decision on establishing a Ramazan bazaar is pending, awaiting guidance from the new Punjab government.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2024