Pindi's Chor Bazaar: a lifeline for low-income families

Held every Friday & Sunday, makeshift market offers refurbished items at reasonable prices

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi's Chor Bazaar, held every Friday and Sunday near Committee Chowk, has become a go-to spot for bargain hunters.

Locals flock to this bustling market for affordable new and used household items, from electronics to kitchen appliances and furniture.

Popularly known as Committee Chowk Chor Bazaar, this market offers a wide range of goods - used electronics, kitchen gear, bed sheets, fans, bicycles, curtains, stoves, and even children's toys. According to locals, around 60 per cent of items here are believed to be stolen, while the remaining 40 per cent consists of refurbished goods.

However, the vendors here dispute the label "Chor Bazaar," preferring the name "Piara Sasta Bazar" or "Charming Cheap Bazaar."

The market has a history dating back to the 1980s, during the era of General Ziaul Haq, when it started as a simple Friday bazaar selling fruits, vegetables, and basic household items.

Its popularity led to an expansion to Sundays as well.

Over the years, it has grown to include a vast range of goods, with stalls extending from Pindi Hotel to Shabistan Cinema and surrounding neighbourhoods like Dhok Elahi Bakhsh and Sherpao Colony.

Today, over 4,000 stalls are set up every weekend, offering everything from refurbished electronics to second-hand kitchenware at prices well below retail.

Azmat Abbasi, a longtime vendor, has been selling electronics here for 20 years.

He insists the goods are not stolen but rather repaired and resold with a three- to six-month guarantee.

"A good iron goes for Rs800 to Rs1200, a children's bicycle from Rs500 to Rs2000, and laptops range from 20,000 to 35,000 rupees," Abbasi shared, highlighting the affordability of items in the bazaar.

Sufi Ramzan, another vendor, also denies the claims of stolen goods.

"We've been selling here for 30 years. If anything were stolen, it would be caught immediately," he said.

For many low-income families, this market is a lifeline.

Naveed Ali, a regular shopper, noted that well-off families often sell their old household items to street vendors, who refurbish them and resell them at nearly half the market price.

"The market operates on slim margins, allowing families to get essential items at affordable prices," he explained.

With a colourful history and an endless variety of items, Rawalpindi's Chor Bazaar continues to be a bustling, affordable option for those looking for quality goods without breaking the bank.