Sasta model bazaars to give relief to citizens: Afzal

RAWALPINDI: Member of National Assembly (MNA) Muhammad Afzal Khokhar on Tuesday said that Punjab government has established "Sasta Model Bazars" aimed at providing relief to the people particularly in the present era of financial constraint.

Afzal Khokhar, who is also Chairman of Sasta Model Bazar Committee Punjab, said the government was trying to provide relief to the people who are facing difficulties due to price hike and dearness.

He while issuing special instructions to the authorities concerned said that monthly meeting of District Working Committee should be ensured and solid steps is taken so that these bazars could be made a real success.

Afzal Khokhar also ordered for bringing improvement in this respect with a view to provide facilities to the citizens. He said that the Committee can also take decision for opening of bazaar for four to six days in a week.

He said that strict policy regarding recovery of stall charges from the stall holders should be adopted and no influence in this regard should be accepted.

He said this in a meeting held here on Tuesday which was jointly chaired by Afzal Khokhar and Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahid Saeed. MNA, Malik Shakeel Awan, DCO Rawalpindi Saqib Zafar, Additional Collector Talat Mehmood Gondal, President Markazi Anjuman Tajran Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, DO Social Welfare Shafique Ahmed Awan, AC Rawalpindi Saif Ullah Jappa and Director PANAH Sana Ullah Ghuman also attended the meeting.

Chairman Sasta Model Bazar Committee Punjab said that Sasta Model Bazaars were established to provide relief to the citizens and for the welfare of common man, so union activity in terms of commercial interests should not be allowed and those who indulge in such kind of activity for gaining their interests should be taken to the task as per rules.

He asked Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahid Saeed to allocate proper parking place for Ching Chi stand under the supervision of administration so that common consumer may avail transport facility nearest to Sasta bazaar.

Commissioner Zahid Saeed addressing the meeting said that the stalls of vegetables, fruit, mutton, beef and multinational companies would also be established and District Administration should entertain applications of the interested applicants on the basis of first come first serve.

DCO Saqib Zafar informed the meeting that presently 60 stalls are functional in the Sasta Bazaar and a considerable number of consumers visit this bazaar for shopping purposes.

Malik Shakeel Awan on this occasion said that citizens would be provided all possible facilities in the light of the policy of Chief Minister Punjab Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif.

He proposed that if Sasta Model Bazaar is provided an approach from Gawalmandi bridge side, then an enhanced number of citizens can have an easy approach.

Shahid Ghafoor Paracha giving a proposal said that there should be concession of two months rent for the stall holders as the step would help encouraging and attracting traders.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011