LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that her government is turning its promises into real relief for the public, as the province rolls out its first government-run service for the free home delivery of essential goods at the lowest possible prices.
The initiative, launched through the Punjab Sahulat Bazaars Authority (PSBA), has created a new standard in public service. So far, more than 312,000 orders have been delivered to homes across Punjab. The service is currently active in 35 cities through 46 Sahulat Bazaars, ensuring that basic food items reach people at their doorsteps without any cost.
Under this programme, the prices of 13 essential food items have been fixed even below the officially notified DC rates, offering relief of up to seven per cent. Products available include potatoes, onions, tomatoes, pumpkin, garlic, apples, bananas, dates, lemons, guava, and watermelon. Staples such as gram lentils, gram flour, wheat flour and sugar are also part of the scheme.
Through a free mobile application available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, citizens can place orders easily. These are delivered by PSBA riders without any delivery charges. Official data shows that the project has already helped people save Rs110 million, easing household expenses during inflation.
Addressing the occasion, the chief minister reaffirmed her commitment to protect the public from rising prices. “We will not allow the effects of inflation to reach the people at any cost. This is our commitment,” she said, adding that the service will gradually be expanded to more cities across Punjab.