He was inaugurating first model bazaar at Township here on Saturday. Member National Assembly and Chairman Model Bazaar Project Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Secretary Industries, Commissioner and DCO Lahore and a large number of citizens were present on the occasion.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that setting up of model bazaars is such an excellent project where not only essential items would be available to the citizens according to hygienic principles but other facilities would also be available to the families coming here for shopping. He disclosed that there would be no role of government departments in the management of these bazaars rather all arrangements would be outsourced. He said that management committees consisting of citizens would be established for these bazaars which will be responsible for all matters including gardening, washrooms, cleanliness and provision of quality items at reasonable rates. He said that setting up of such bazaars for the masses is a vision of Punjab government and we are working speedily for realising this dream. He said that besides stalls of products of prominent companies, meat, vegetables, fruits, garments and other essential items would be available in these bazaars. He said that the shopkeepers will also be dressed in neat and clean clothes so that the citizens could make shopping in a pleasant atmosphere. He said that besides security arrangements, play lands have also been set up for children in model bazaars so that they should not feel boredom while coming for shopping with their parents. He said that separate sections have been set up for the convenience of men and women in model bazaars. He said that Punjab government has launched Aashiyana Housing Scheme for poor, widows, orphans and common man and transparency has been ensured in these projects and all houses would be allotted through a transparent balloting. He disclosed that stalls and shops would also be allotted in a transparent manner in model bazaars and their rent would also be reasonable. He said that the people of the area would have the first right over shops and stalls in model bazaars but if more applications were received for getting shops and stalls, then balloting will be held in a transparent manner. He said that extortionists and "safarish" will not be tolerated. He said that standard and fixed price of items would be ensured at all costs in these bazaars and strict action would be taken in case of violation. He paid tributes to MPA Muhammad Afzal Khokhar for setting up model bazaars and said that his efforts for implementation of this welfare project are commendable. He also appreciated the efforts of Secretary Industries, Commissioner and DCO Lahore.
Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government has announced a special package for providing essential items at concessionary rates to the masses during Ramzan-ul-Mubarak under which 20 kg atta bag would be available at Rs 415 and 10 kg at Rs 210 in Ramzan bazaars. Similarly, fruits, vegetables, ghee, sugar, poultry and other items would also be provided at concessionary rates. Regarding sugar, he said that Punjab government has demanded 15,000 ton sugar from Trading Corporation of Pakistan during Ramzan-ul-Mubarak but it has given no response in this regard so far which is totally injustice with the people of Punjab observing fast. He said that lakhs of tons of sugar are available with Trading Corporation of Pakistan. He said if Trading Corporation of Pakistan did not provide sugar according to our needs then we will bring the sugar in the market from mills of Punjab. He said that excesses are also being made in provision of gas and electricity to Punjab and now despite writing letters to federal institutions, Trading Corporation of Pakistan did not respond positively regarding provision of sugar to Punjab. He requested Prime Minister to consider the requests seriously as he is Prime Minister of entire Pakistan and take a decision with regard to provision of sugar to Punjab at the earliest.
Earlier, Chief Minister inaugurated Model Bazaar Township and visited various stalls in the bazaar. DCO Ahad Cheema while giving a briefing regarding model bazaar, informed that this bazaar spreading over 54 kanals has been completed at a cost of Rs 62 million in a record period of two months and 510 stalls of various items have been set up in this bazaar.