Rawalpindi Administration Cancels Plan to Establish Eid Markets

Due to the ongoing financial and economic crisis, the district administration has decided not to organize Eid Bazaars this year.

Since 1988, around 16 subsidized Ramazan Bazaars have been held annually in Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas. These bazaars offer essential food items for Iftar and Suhoor, including sugar, gram flour, vegetables, fruits, and meat, at discounted rates.

Traditionally, these bazaars transformed into Eid Bazaars on the 20th of Ramazan, selling festive essentials such as vermicelli, suji, clothes, shoes, bangles, and henna cones. However, this year, financial constraints have also led to discontinuing free ration and flour distribution in Punjab.

Instead of the usual 16 markets, only one Ramazan Bazaar was set up on the outskirts of the city, making it inaccessible to most citizens. The cost of traveling from the inner city to this location via taxi, rickshaw, or private transport ranges between Rs1,000 to Rs1,500, adding to the financial burden.

To address accessibility concerns, a special market was set up at Allama Iqbal Park Double Road, but even this remains unaffordable for many residents. Previously, two low-cost bazaars were established in each tehsil, strategically placed near the city’s entrances for easy access.

The decision to cancel Eid Bazaars this year has left middle- and lower-income families deeply disappointed, as they are now forced to shop at expensive markets, making Eid preparations even more challenging.