No ‘Sasta bazaar’ in Quetta despite official claims
Manan Khan :
The district administration of Quetta failed to establish the ‘Sasta bazaar’ despite an earlier announcement. Citizens visited the space reserved for sasta bazaar at Bacha Khan Chowk but found no commodity.
“I wanted to purchase something but there are only tents”, Aslam Khan, a citizen lamented. Like Aslam Khan, scores of citizens came to the location reserved for sasta bazaar but returned in despair. The administration had removed encroachments from Bacha Khan chowk to ensure proper placement for the bazaar.
Quetta Voice repeatedly tried to speak to the Deputy Commissioner to get his point of view but unable to get his opinion about Sasta bazar.
People wanted to purchase commodities in Sasta bazaars
On the eve of the first day of Ramazan ul Mubarak, the citizens wanted to purchase food items at subsidized rates. However, the provincial government had not announced any Ramazan relief package. “I have been waiting outside this utility store for last one hour to get sugar”, Hikmatullah, another citizen said. Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan has announced a Ramazan relief package for the masses.
However, Hikmatullah complained that very few fortunate people manage to get the relief and subsidized items.
CS had directed to establish Sasta bazaars
Chief Secretary Balochistan, Mathar Niaz Rana had ordered the deputy commissioners to establish Sasta bazaars. He directed the deputy commissioners to run mobile stores to make sure provision of commodities to the masses. “DCs should personally monitor this”, he said. Provincial secretaries, commissioner Quetta division and other concerned quarters participated in the meeting.
QESCO directed to provide uninterrupted power supply
Mr. Rana also asked the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) to provide uninterrupted power supply during Iftar and Sehri times.
The CS however directed the administration to ensure implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in bazaars and markets in Ramazan. “We have to effectively battle the third wave of COVID19”, he said.
No ‘Sasta bazaar’ in Quetta despite official claims
