LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that mafia culture has been eliminated from Punjab and no mafia will now be allowed to operate and flourish. Chairing a high-level meeting regarding Punjab’s 188 fruit and vegetable markets, the CM reviewed measures to modernize them, including improved cleanliness, installation of street lights, functional toilets, auction sheds, transparent auction systems, waste-to-value initiatives and cultivation of off-season vegetables. Authorities concerned briefed Chief Minister Punjab that help desks, online tracking through Safe City Authority, street lighting, cleanliness arrangements and fully functional toilets are being ensured in all 188 modern vegetable markets. They added that in order to curb fraud, direct auctions have been introduced across Punjab’s vegetable markets and auction sheds have been established. They further briefed the CM that all water filtration plants have been restored in 188 modern markets to provide clean drinking water to buyers and commission agents. They apprised the CM that a new cleanliness system, dedicated staff and an organized waste collection mechanism are being introduced in these markets, adding that clean and hygienic toilets have now been made fully functional in all modern markets. Officials concerned briefed the CM that help desks have been set up for buyers and rate boards have been prominently displayed in all modern fruit and vegetable markets. They added that more than 266,000 street lights have been made operational across these markets. They further briefed the CM that ‘Waste-to-Value’ program has been launched in Punjab’s modern vegetable markets. They added that green waste from markets will be utilized for biogas production and poultry feed. They apprised her that drainage systems have been restored in every market and covers have been installed on all manholes. Authorities further briefed her that for the first time in Punjab, ‘Tracking on Wheels’ system has been implemented to maintain records of supply and demand of fruits and vegetables, adding that every truck transporting fruits and vegetables into Punjab has been linked with the Safe City Authority for tracking. Officials concerned further briefed Chief Minister Punjab that new modern vegetable markets will be established in Pakpattan, Kasur, Sahiwal, Mian Channu, Sheikhupura and Mandi Bahauddin. They added that in order to provide affordable fruits and vegetables to the people of Murree, a dedicated supply chain system will be established to ensure availability of edibles at wholesale rates. Chief Minister Punjab directed all relevant stakeholders to adopt modern farming techniques to ensure availability of off-season vegetables. She directed to launch immediate action against price control magistrates involved in deceiving public and further directed that they should be dismissed from service and sent to jail. The CM granted approval to recruit secretaries in market committees on merit through the Public Service Commission. She appreciated Minister for Agriculture Ashiq Kirmani, Special Assistant Salma Butt, Director General Food Amjad Hafeez and their entire team for their commendable efforts. She reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to providing ‘roti’ and flour at a subsidized price to the public under any circumstance. She further announced that she would personally conduct surprise visits to fruit and vegetable markets and highlighted that remarkable development and other initiatives are underway in Punjab, adding that other provinces are compelled to emulate them. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025