PESHAWAR: Ramazan sasta bazaars were set up in different districts on Tuesday to make available essential food items to the consumers at subsidised rates during the fasting month.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz opened a Ramazan Sasta Bazaar on Dalazak Road, Peshawar.

On the occasion, assistant commissioner (city) Dr Ihteshamul Haq told the chief secretary that the district administration would ensure smooth supply of all essential food items to the general public at subsidised rates.

Talking to the media, the chief secretary said in light of the directives of the provincial government, 82 Ramazan sasta bazaars had been established throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with five set up in the provincial metropolis.

In Bajaur, deputy commissioner Mohammad Fayyaz Khan opened a sasta bazaar in Khar.

Speaking at a ceremony on the occasion, Mr Fayyaz said his administration would also set up sasta bazaars in Salarzai, Mamond and Nawagai tehsils.

He called upon the traders and wholesale dealers to set up their stalls in the sasta bazaars.

In Lower Dir, deputy commissioner Aun Haider Gondal inaugurated a sasta bazaar at Shaheed Chowk Timergara.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the bazaar had been established to provide all essential edibles at subsidised rates during Ramazan.

In Bannu, the district administration set up a sasta bazaar in Domel area.

Assistant commissioner Mohammad Zaman Khan told journalists that over 100 cabins had been installed in the bazaar to provide essential commodities to people under one roof. He said a car parking facility and a complaint cell had also been set up at the bazaar.

In Lakki Marwat, the district administration asked representatives of traders’ bodies to set up stalls in Ramzan sasta bazaar and Kisan market in the Lakki city to enable people to get food items at subsidised rates during the fasting month.

During a visit to the bazaar on Tuesday, assistant commissioner Umer Bin Riaz held a meeting with members of the business community to seek their help for making the facilities fully functional.

On the occasion, district director agriculture Abdul Qayyum Khan told the assistant commissioner that his department had facilitated the growers to bring their produce directly to the market without paying any fee to the middlemen or agents.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2021