In a groundbreaking move to improve transparency and infrastructure, the Punjab government has begun digitizing all fruit and vegetable markets across the province. Spearheaded under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the initiative seeks to modernize operations, curb price manipulation, and ensure real-time price updates for consumers.
The Kacha Market in Lahore has been selected as the pilot site for this transformation, with a clear deadline to turn it into a model facility by November. As part of this overhaul, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) will now manage sanitation, while market fee collections have been outsourced, significantly increasing revenue for the province.
Secretary of Price Control Dr. Ehsan Bhutta emphasized expanding the outsourcing model and warned underperforming committees of possible disciplinary actions. To further boost efficiency, specialized training programs under PEHAM have been launched for market staff.
This digitization drive is expected to make Punjab’s markets more accountable, cleaner, and consumer-friendly — a vital step toward sustainable agricultural commerce in the region.
