LAHORE: The Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority (PSBA) organised a five-day family-friendly Eid gala for enhanced community engagement, while offering families Eid shopping, recreational activities and food at Township Model Bazaar.

The PSBA, which transitioned from company mode to a fully empowered authority, organised a stand-alone Eid gala in the province priortising public enjoyment, security, and inclusivity. The event featured elaborate arrangements, including free food, recreational activities, and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

The festival culminated on Chand Raat with hundreds of people indulging in a vibrant night of shopping, feasting, and merriment, with women adorning their hands with intricate Mehndi designs.

Children had their due share at the event as they enjoyed a magic show, puppet show, live character performances for kids, and gift hamper distributions. The children were also offered free popcorn, cotton candy, Jaleebi, and refreshing juices. Free horse and buggy rides, along with face painting stations, added to the excitement of kids.

The authority had arranged a variety of traditional food stalls, serving delicacies such as Daal Chawal and Makai Roti with Makhni Saag, ensuring visitors could relish Punjab’s rich culinary heritage. The scale, diversity and inclusivity of these provisions made the event a landmark achievement in Punjab.

The authority had established scores of stalls, besides permanent stalls at the bazaar, that offered a range of articles from artificial jewellery, bangles, traditional dresses and handicrafts, besides mechanical rides in a separate Joyland section.

People visiting the Eid gala expressed their jubilation over the secured and well-managed event, saying that the articles on shopping stalls were offered at discounted rates. They said the food had all kinds of desi cuisine and also offered Indian food like Dosa.

Speaking to Dawn, Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company CEO Naveed Rafaqat Ahmad said the gala was a pilot initiative that received an overwhelming public response. He said this event was conceptualised to bring families together in a joyful and secure environment.

He said the Model Bazaars had now been transformed into not just price-regulated markets but vibrant community engagement hubs. He committed that the authority would continue to position itself as a pillar of relief and regulation in the province.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025