LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Saturday that 80 Ramazan Bazaars have been established across the province, providing essential goods at subsidised rates.

“These bazaars continue to function as per routine, offering staple items such as ghee, sugar, flour, pulses, vegetables, and fruits at prices lower than the open market,” she said.

Bokhari said the Punjab government had not withdrawn any subsidy and remained committed to ensuring affordability for the public.

“All 80 bazaars across the province are fully operational. Lahore hosts 10 such bazaars, Rawalpindi has eight, while Jhelum, Faisalabad, and Nankana each have three. Several other districts have also set up Ramazan Bazaars to facilitate citizens,” she said and added the government had introduced a Rs30bn Ramazan relief package, delivering direct cash assistance to three million families at their doorsteps. “This initiative ensures that financial aid reaches deserving and middle-class citizens with dignity and without any inconvenience.”

She also dismissed reports of inflated prices or subsidy withdrawals in Ramazan Bazaars emphasising that these markets continued to offer affordable goods, attracting a large number of shoppers who preferred them over the open market due to significant price differences.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2025