RAWALPINDI: The district administration on Sunday inaugurated a new “wholesale market” in Rawalpindi’s Rawat neighbourhood, much to the chagrin of traders of the garrison city who said the initiative resembled a ‘sasta bazaar’ instead of a wholesale market.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha inaugurated the vegetable and fruit market, established in the Rawat union council near Chak Belly More.

A senior official of district administration told Dawn that the vegetable and fruit market covered an area of 20 kanal. “The land was obtained on lease for one year at Rs400,000 per month.

He said that there were 48 plots initially. “These are managed by the market committee and are being allotted to the commission agents working in any fruit and vegetable market, he said.

Speaking on the occasion of the inauguration, the commissioner said the wholesale market would be functional on Monday (today). “The establishment of the vegetable and fruit market is part of the public and farmer-friendly programme of the caretaker chief minister,” he claimed.

On this occasion, Agriculture Special Secretary Syeda Kulsoom Hai, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hasan Waqar Cheema and other officials were also present.

“The establishment of the first vegetable and fruit market in Rawalpindi will promote agricultural trade at the regional level. Three million population of Rawalpindi will benefit from the establishment of the market,” the commissioner claimed.

He said the market near Rawat would facilitate the suppliers of vegetables and fruits in the suburbs of Rawalpindi and remote areas. By establishing a vegetable and fruit market, the long-standing demand of the citizens of Rawalpindi has been fulfilled, he claimed.

He said, “The administration is taking steps for the convenience of the people. Rawalpindi is a big city, and it was in dire need of a vegetable and fruit market.”

According to the commissioner, people from Rawalpindi used to travel a “long way” to go to the Islamabad vegetable and fruit market. It may be noted the Islamabad market in Sector I-11 is a few kilometres away from Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi compared to Rawat which is more than 20km away.

The special secretary said that the establishment of the vegetable and fruit market was a “good initiative for the citizens of Rawalpindi”.

On the other hand, Rawalpindi Sabzi Mandi Association President Ghulam Qadir Mir said that the district administration had given the task to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to establish the new market and traders were not taken on board.

“The traders in Rawalpindi will continue to get fruit and vegetables from Sector I-II market near Pirwadhai and they will not go to Rawat,” he reiterated.

He said that the Punjab caretaker government asked the district administration to establish a ‘sasta bazaar’ and the market in Rawat was a ‘sasta bazaar’ to cater to consumers, not a wholesale market for traders.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2023