LAHORE Punjab’s first-of-its-kind ‘Sahulat On-the-Go Bazaar’ has emerged as a major public attraction, offering quality essential items at official DC rates while providing dignified livelihoods to the street vendors. Launched on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the initiative aims to ensure affordable commodities for citizens and a regulated, respectable business environment for vendors. More than 400 stalls have been allotted to vendors through an open balloting process. In the first phase, Sahulat On-the-Go Bazaars have become functional at ten locations in Lahore, including Gulshan Ravi, Shadman, Madar-e-Millat Road, Madina Market, Township, Sundar Road and Kotha Pind, Faisal Town. Additional bazaars are also operational at Kharak Nala, Awan Town, Valencia and Shahdara. The bazaars offer fruits, vegetables, chicken and grocery items at DC-notified rates. Facilities such as security, clean washrooms, proper sanitation and a drive-through shopping option have also been provided to facilitate citizens. Officials said that by February, five more On-the-Go Bazaars will be made functional in Lahore, while projects at Barki, Sadar, Nishtar Town, Raiwind Phase II, Faisal Town, Moon Market and Ferozewala are in their final stages of completion. Vendors expressed satisfaction over the initiative, saying they have moved from operating pushcarts to becoming owners of proper shops. “We are no longer roadside hawkers; we now have our own shops,” several vendors said, thanking the chief minister for introducing a dignified and organised system instead of removing street vendors. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the project reflects Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s vision of a clean and beautiful Lahore. “True development is that which benefits the hardworking poor. Today, every vendor can proudly say that he owns a shop,” she said, adding that such projects would be expanded across Lahore and eventually throughout Punjab. She noted that vendors who had stood under the open sky for years have now been provided proper shelter and facilities. The chief minister also appreciated the efforts of the Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority in establishing the project. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority said the initiative would help reduce the need for subsidies traditionally provided during Ramazan bazaars, as affordable commodities would now be available throughout the year. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025