Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered immediate action against price control magistrates deceiving the public, directing their dismissal and imprisonment. This move is part of the government’s comprehensive efforts to reform the province’s commercial centers and eliminate what she termed a “mafia culture.”
The provincial administration has announced the transformation of 188 vegetable markets across Punjab into “modern fruit and vegetable markets.” The initiative aims to eliminate long-standing issues such as filth, mismanagement, and the influence of manipulative middlemen, and provide relief to consumers.
A key feature of these reforms is the introduction of transparent, direct auctions, with active auction sheds and rate boards displayed to eliminate fraudulent pricing. Help desks have also been established to assist buyers and shopkeepers.
Significant infrastructure improvements have been made, including the restoration of all water filtration plants for clean drinking water, the installation of over 266,000 streetlights for safe shopping day and night, and the provision of fully functional and clean public toilets.
A new sanitation system has been implemented with new staff and an organized waste collection process. Additionally, the drainage system in each market has been restored, and all manholes have been covered to improve safety and hygiene.
To improve supply chain management, a “Tracking on Wheel” system has been introduced for the first time in the province to record production demand and supply. The tracking of all fruit and vegetable trucks entering Punjab has now been integrated with the Safe City Authority for online monitoring.
A “Waste to Value” program has also been launched, which will convert green waste from the markets into biogas and poultry feed, promoting environmental sustainability.
Future plans include establishing new modern markets in Pakpattan, Kasur, Sahiwal, Mian Channu, Sheikhupura, and Mandi Bahauddin. A dedicated supply chain system has already been established to provide fruits and vegetables to Murree residents at wholesale rates.
Chief Minister Sharif has also directed the Agriculture Department to adopt modern farming methods to ensure the availability of off-season vegetables. In this regard, approval has also been granted for the merit-based recruitment of Market Committee secretaries through the Public Service Commission.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “The mafia culture has been eliminated from Punjab; no mafia can thrive in Punjab now.” She also announced her intention to conduct personal surprise visits to the markets. “We will provide cheap roti and cheap flour to the public at any cost; this is our commitment.”
The Chief Minister praised the efforts of Agriculture Minister Ashiq Kirmani, Special Assistant Salma Butt, DG Food Amjad Hafeez, and the entire team, adding that the “excellent work” being done in Punjab is compelling other provinces to follow suit.