RAWALPINDI: The district administration on Thursday launched the Pink Bazaars initiative, with the first bazaar being established on Liaquat Road, where women vendors will sell daily-use items to earn a livelihood.

“Seven bazaars will be established in the first phase, one in each of the seven tehsils of Rawalpindi district. The number of these bazaars will be increased in the next phase,” Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir told Dawn.

He said that, on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, work had been initiated to establish a Pink Bazaar in each tehsil. “The one in Rawalpindi city is almost ready, while work on the others is in progress. These bazaars will provide women vendors with livelihood opportunities and offer women a safe, exclusive shopping area away from the rush,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Nasir directed all assistant commissioners to conduct regular field visits to oversee various initiatives, including measures to control stray dogs, remove encroachments, establish street-vendor markets (rehri bazaars) and Pink Bazaars (exclusive markets for women), and implement city branding and beautification projects.

He stressed that the results of these measures must be clearly visible on the ground. He issued these directions while chairing a meeting to review the district’s key performance indicators (KPIs) and improvements in public services across various sectors.

The meeting was attended by all additional deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and officers of relevant departments. The deputy commissioner directed all departments to take practical steps to improve their performance and ensure the prompt resolution of public grievances.

He emphasised the need to pay special attention to hospitals, government schools, road repairs, water supply, sewerage, water filtration plants, bus terminals, green belts, streetlights, sanitation, removal of encroachments, desilting, deep cleaning and the availability of food items at prescribed rates.

He instructed officials to prevent illegal dumping at all critical locations, including along Leh Nullah. Furthermore, he directed heads of government departments and administrative officers to conduct regular field visits and take immediate action to address public complaints. He made it clear that officers who showed negligence in resolving public issues had no right to remain in their positions.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026