Ramazan relief markets reduced to three

Officials say essential commodities will be available at controlled rates

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Sahulat Bazaar Punjab. Photo: APP (file)

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RAWALPINDI:

The district administration has approved the establishment of only three Ramazan Cart Bazaars this year, discontinuing the long-standing system of setting up 16 subsidised Ramazan bazaars across the city. The three cart bazaars will be set up near Allama Iqbal Park, at Haidri Chowk and at Chohar Chowk.

On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Rawalpindi district administration has initiated special measures to provide relief to citizens during the holy month of Ramazan. Acting on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, Ramazan bazaars and cart bazaars are being established to ensure the availability of essential food items at affordable and controlled prices.

One Ramazan bazaar will be set up in the Chohar Chowk area under the supervision of the Assistant Commissioner (Cantonment), while two cart bazaars at Iqbal Park and Haidri Chowk will be overseen by Assistant Commissioner (City) Iman Zafar.

Flour, sugar, pulses, vegetables, fruits and other essential commodities will be available at official and controlled rates to provide direct relief to the public.

The deputy commissioner has directed that cleanliness arrangements be ensured, official price lists be prominently displayed, and no compromise be made on the quality of goods. Price control magistrates have been instructed to conduct continuous monitoring and take indiscriminate action against hoarders, profiteers and those charging excessive prices.

According to the district administration, the establishment of these Ramazan and cart bazaars will facilitate easy access to affordable and quality daily-use items and help curb inflation during the holy month.

Food inflation bites before holy month

With the advent of the holy month of Ramazan, prices of fruit and essential items for sehri and iftar have surged dramatically in the open market in the city, placing a heavy burden on consumers. Price magistrates appear powerless to rein in spiralling inflation.

In the open market, gram flour is being sold at Rs400 per kilogram, white chickpeas at Rs430 per kg, red beans at Rs400 per kg and premium large red beans at Rs500 per kg. Cooking oil is priced at Rs520 per kg (pouch). Split chickpeas cost Rs330 per kg, while black gram is available at Rs500 per kg.

Meat prices have also climbed steeply, with mutton selling at Rs2,600 per kg, beef at Rs1,500 per kg and chicken at Rs600 per kg. Milk is priced at Rs230 per litre and yoghurt at Rs250 per kg.

Among fruits, guava is being sold at Rs200 to Rs250 per kg, pomegranate at Rs700 per kg, grapes at Rs500 to Rs650 per kg, papaya at Rs400 per kg and apples at Rs250 to Rs400 per kg.

Bananas are priced between Rs220 and Rs250 per dozen. Oranges, kinnow and sweet lime are selling at Rs200 to Rs400 per dozen, while coconuts are priced at Rs500 each.

Vegetable prices show a similar upward trend: new potatoes are being sold at Rs40 per kg and old potatoes at Rs80 per kg; onions at Rs60 per kg; okra at Rs250 per kg; peas at Rs90 per kg; ginger at Rs400 per kg; garlic at Rs300 per kg; cauliflower at Rs100 per kg; bitter gourd at Rs130 per kg; lemons at Rs80 per kg; and colocasia at Rs80 per kg.

Security plan comes into force

The Punjab Home Department has imposed the strictest security arrangements in respect of the holy month of Ramazan starting this week, enforcing a complete ban on eating and drinking at open public places across the district.

The sale of ready-to-eat food at eateries, hotels, canteens, and pushcarts for immediate consumption has been prohibited.

To ensure the peaceful observance of Ramazan, the district administration and police have issued a comprehensive security plan.

All relevant departments have been placed on alert to safeguard the lives and property of worshippers and maintain law and order.

Additional personnel will be deployed at major mosques, imambargahs, Eidgahs, and other places of worship. Special security measures will be implemented during Sehri, Iftar, Taraweeh, and Friday congregations. Further reinforcements may be called in on important nights, including Shab-e-Qadr.

Mobile and foot patrols will be increased in sensitive areas, while checkpoints will be set up at key entry and exit points. Surveillance through CCTV cameras will be strengthened, and checking of suspicious individuals and vehicles will continue.

Traffic police have been directed to devise special plans to ensure smooth traffic flow around mosques and markets. Barriers will be installed at major gathering points to regulate entry and exit routes.