Sahulat On-the-Go Bazaar Gains Public Attention in Lahore, Offers Essentials at Official Rates

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab’s innovative Sahulat On-the-Go Bazaar initiative has emerged as a major public attraction in Lahore, providing affordable essential commodities at government-notified rates while creating dignified and regulated livelihoods for street vendors.
Launched under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the project aims to control rising food prices, improve urban order, and integrate informal vendors into a structured economic system. The initiative is being described by officials as a sustainable alternative to seasonal subsidy-based markets.
More than 400 stalls have been allotted through a transparent balloting process. In its first phase, Sahulat On-the-Go Bazaars have become operational at multiple locations across Lahore, including Gulshan Ravi, Shadman, Madar-e-Millat Road, Madina Market, Township, Sundar Road, Kotha Pind, Faisal Town, Kharak Nala, Awan Town, Valencia, and Shahdara.
The bazaars offer fruits, vegetables, chicken, and grocery items at DC-notified prices, ensuring price stability for consumers. Facilities such as security arrangements, clean washrooms, sanitation services, and drive-through shopping have been introduced to enhance public convenience.
According to officials, five additional On-the-Go Bazaars will become functional in Lahore by February, while projects in Barki, Sadar, Nishtar Town, Raiwind Phase II, Moon Market, Faisal Town, and Ferozewala are nearing completion.
Vendors have welcomed the initiative, saying it has transformed their working conditions and social standing. Many reported moving from roadside pushcarts to permanent shops. “We now run proper businesses instead of selling on streets,” several vendors said, crediting the government for adopting an inclusive approach rather than eviction-based enforcement.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the project aligns with the vision of Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for a clean, organised, and economically inclusive Lahore. “Development is meaningful only when it uplifts hardworking citizens. Every vendor today can say with pride that he owns a shop,” she said, adding that the model will be expanded across Punjab.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority said the initiative is expected to reduce reliance on Ramazan-specific subsidies, as essential goods will now remain available at controlled prices throughout the year.
The Sahulat On-the-Go Bazaar is increasingly being viewed as a long-term urban governance and price-control solution, combining affordability, employment generation, and city management under a single framework.