Punjab’s public market system has undergone a major structural shift, moving from a company model to a statutory authority.
The transition is redefining how bazaars are managed, regulated, and sustained across the province.
Punjab’s transition from the Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company to the Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority marks a significant institutional reform.
The earlier model, formed under Section 42, offered flexibility but lacked strong legal backing. While it enabled the setup of model bazaars, it limited long-term expansion and institutional continuity.
The shift to an authority model has placed the system under a legislative framework, giving it defined powers.
These include control over land acquisition, procurement, vendor regulation, and operational oversight—key areas required for long-term governance.
This structural change has also altered how decisions are made, accountability is enforced, and policies are sustained.
The transformation has been led administratively by Naveed Rafaqat Ahmad, who now serves as Director General of the Authority.
His role has been central to both shaping the concept and executing it operationally.
Scale of operations expands significantly
According to the March 2026 Ipsos Economic Impact Assessment, the Sahulat Bazaar system now records around 189 million annual visits.
This includes both permanent markets and mobile units, indicating that the initiative has evolved into a full-scale public service system.
Consumer satisfaction remains high
Despite the expansion, the system has maintained stable performance indicators.
The Ipsos report shows 94 percent overall consumer satisfaction, with strong ratings for price transparency, cleanliness, and accessibility.
This suggests that operational standards are being consistently maintained across a wide network.
Under the authority model, governance mechanisms have been formalized.
Instead of relying on periodic enforcement, the system now operates through continuous monitoring. Pricing is regularly checked, supply chains are centrally coordinated, and vendor compliance is enforced through defined procedures.
This marks a clear shift toward structured, system-based regulation.
Economic relief for households
The reform has also had measurable economic impact.
Ipsos estimates annual household savings at Rs. 147.5 billion, with average savings of approximately Rs. 62,000 per household.
While such figures require cautious interpretation, they indicate a significant effect on household spending.
On the supply side, many vendors reportedly joined without prior formal registration.
Over time, improvements have been observed in compliance, customer trust, and business credibility—pointing toward gradual formalization within the retail sector.
Expansion into service delivery
The introduction of free home delivery services reflects the system’s evolution beyond physical markets.
With 88 percent satisfaction, the service appears to address key challenges such as time constraints and transportation barriers.
The Sahulat Bazaar model is increasingly being viewed as more than a price-control initiative.
It integrates affordability, accessibility, and operational consistency within a single governance framework—an approach noted in academic and policy discussions.
The transition to a statutory authority has been identified as a key factor enabling long-term sustainability and coordinated governance.
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