LAHORE: The provincial government has notified “The Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority Act 2025” to establish bazaars and supply essential commodities to the general public at notified rates and create business opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Following the passage of the bill by the Punjab Assembly and assent granted by the Punjab government, the act has come into force and extends to the entire province. The Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority (PSBA) will be a 12-member body led by a chairperson to be appointed by the chief minister. The authority will have administrative secretaries of industries, commerce and investment; finance, Planning and Development Board as well as price control and commodities management departments as ex-officio members.

The authority will have four technical experts including a woman; two MPAs including one female, to be nominated by the CM. The director-general of the authority shall act as a member and secretary to the authority. This body shall meet at least once a month.

The authority shall have its funds provided by the government and other sources. It will be required to submit its performance report annually to the Punjab Assembly for approval. The authority has been granted indemnity from the launching of any suit or legal proceedings against the authority, while the officials will be performing their functions in good faith.

The Punjab government is empowered to make rules, while the authority shall frame regulations for carrying outPSBA functions.

Naveed Rafaqat Ahmad, who spearheaded the conversion of the Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company (PMBMC) into the Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority (PSBA), says the transition is a game-changer as it will now operate under a well-defined legislative framework, granting it greater control over land acquisition, procurement and governance.

With an independent DG and structured board oversight, he said, decision-making would be expedited, bureaucratic delays reduced, beside establishing financial sustainability for long-term success. Mr Ahmad said the company had secured Rs3.4 billion in government funding for the construction of 13 new model bazaars.

He said all 13 new model bazaars were in the construction phase and expected to be fully operational by July-August this year. He committed that the new strategically located bazaars would enhance accessibility to essential commodities, particularly for communities lacking reliable retail infrastructure. He said the authority would serve as a model for economic resilience and public welfare in Pakistan and beyond. “We plan to establish a self-sustaining, technology-driven public supply chain that can serve as a model for other provinces. If successfully executed, this initiative has the potential to be replicated nationwide, bolstering Pakistan’s socio-economic stability and food security,” said Mr Ahmad, who served as CEO of the company.

Under the new regime, Mr Ahmad said all allotments of stalls and outlets would be conducted through an open balloting system using electronic technology, ensuring fairness for applicants. The application process is open to the general public, offering one-year renewable leases to successful applicants. He said the monthly rent of the outlets in the Sahulat Bazaars would range between Rs8,000 to Rs15,000, covering all operational costs, including utilities, service charges, electricity, cleanliness and parking facilities.

Referring to plans, Mr Ahmad said the authority would expand sahulat bazaars to tehsil level. He said the authority was currently engaged with the Board of Revenue and deputy commissioners concerned for acquisition of state land in Noshera Virkan, Burewala, Jalalpur (Multan), and Sangla Hill (Nankana Sahib), with ongoing feasibility studies in Attock, Bahawalnagar, Murree, Rahim Yar Khan, and Talagang.

During Ramzan, Mr Ahmad said the sahulat bazaars had provided 35 per cent price relief against the market price and in terms of DC rates, these bazaars offered seven per cent further price cuts to benefit the public. He said the bazaars had also offered free home delivery service.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2025