No govt-sponsored Ramazan bazaars in Pindi

Thousands left in the lurch as Ramazan bazaars abandoned

RAWALPINDI:

For the first time since 1985, Rawalpindi has not seen the establishment of government-sponsored Ramzan bazaars due to a severe financial crisis.

The district administration has instead allocated eight locations where street vendors have been allowed to set up stalls under the banner of "Sasta Ramzan Bazaars."

However, several densely populated areas, including Sadiqabad, Dhoke Hassu, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Chungi No 22, Morgah, Adiala Road and Chakri Road, have been excluded from the list of traditional Ramzan Bazaars.

Unlike past years, these makeshift markets lack wholesale dealers, utility store stalls, or agriculture department kiosks.

Additionally, no police personnel, district administration officials, or civil defence volunteers have been deployed for oversight.

The vendors who usually sell in these areas have simply been designated as part of the "Sasta bazaars," where food items, including vegetables, fruits, and essential groceries, are reportedly being sold at high prices and in poor quality.

This year, no additional price control magistrates have been appointed, leaving citizens at the mercy of market forces.

Even the decades-old Committee Chowk Sunday bazaar has now been rebranded as a Ramzan bazaar, but without any government subsidies.

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Rafiq chaired a meeting where the decision to declare these street markets as Ramzan bazaars was announced.

He stated that similar bazaars have been set up across different tehsils, where essential goods will be available at wholesale rates.

The designated locations for Ramzan facilitation markets include, Allama Iqbal Park, Haidari Chowk, Rawalpindi Cantt, Chohr Model Bazaar, Chak Beli Khan in Rawalpindi Cantt and the city.

Similarly in Gujar Khan Service Road and Hayat Sir Road, Taxila's Deen Plaza and GT Road and Kahuta's Vegetable Market and Main Bazaar will host similar bazaars. The commissioner has assured that these markets will provide all necessary facilities, including dedicated sale points for sugar.