The district administration has announced plans to establish 11 subsidized Ramzan Bazaars (Sastay Ramzan Bazaars) in Rawalpindi city and one in each tehsil during the holy month of Ramzan.
The Agriculture Department will also set up stalls offering tomatoes, potatoes, onions, gram flour, and pulses at discounted prices. These stalls will be located within the bazaars and at the gates of agriculture department offices. Additionally, the Poultry Research Institute will provide subsidized chicken at its stalls from the 1st to the 30th of Ramzan. All bazaars will be fully covered and will offer essential items such as sugar, flour, ghee, gram flour, vegetables, and fruits at specially reduced rates.
The bazaars will open on February 28, two days before Ramzan begins, and close after Iftar on the 29th of Ramzan. Entry to the bazaars will be managed through walk-through gates, and each location will have a designated in-charge. Revenue Department officers, including Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars, will serve as temporary price magistrates during Ramzan to monitor pricing and ensure compliance.
Proposed locations for these bazaars in Rawalpindi and the Cantonment Board areas include Committee Chowk, Haidari Chowk, Dhoke Hassu, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal Park, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Morgah, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Chohar Chowk, and Chungi No. 22. Larger bazaars will also be set up in Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Gujar Khan, and Taxila.
The Deputy Commissioner has invited tenders from private contractors for the provision of canopies, tents, chairs, tables, and steel baskets. Contractors will create covered enclosures and ensure rain protection at all bazaar sites. Security will be handled by three uniformed personnel from local police and civil defense at each location, along with female police officers.
From the 21st of Ramzan, the subsidized bazaars will transition into Eid Bazaars, offering festive items such as clothing for children, adults, and women at affordable prices. Stalls in the bazaars will be provided free of charge, but vendors found overcharging will face immediate cancellation of their stalls.
The Punjab government will also establish separate stalls outside the bazaars for subsidized sugar and flour. A special Ramzan package is expected to be announced by the Chief Minister of Punjab to further support the initiative.