(Ali Raza)
LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has appointed Malik Afzal Khokhar as chairman of the Provincial Steering Committee for Model Carts.
The initiative aimed to organize street vending by providing designated spaces for vendors, addressing traffic congestion and informal cart operations. This initiative also sought to provide designated, well-organized spaces for vendors to operate.
Under the direct supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chairman Malik Afzal Khokhar, who was also Chairman of the Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company, ensured swift project execution, achieving remarkable progress within just one month. During this period, 1,000 model carts were manufactured.
The project’s inauguration, held on Sunday, marked the realization of the Chief Minister’s vision and was attended by the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore. The model carts were being distributed free of cost to underprivileged street vendors and will be stationed at 19 locations across Lahore.
The Deputy Commissioner has been directed to ensure fair and transparent distribution, prioritizing deserving individuals. As part of the pilot phase, these 19 locations in Lahore will be operational within the first month. The next phase involves expanding the initiative across Punjab, where preparations for deploying 12,000 model carts in 40 districts are already underway. A summary of the project is being finalized for submission to the Chief Minister for approval.
Chairman Malik Afzal Khokhar reaffirmed his commitment to the success of this transformative project. Drawing on his experience with Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company, where he led efforts to provide affordable and quality food items, he pledged to deliver the Model Carts Market Project with the same dedication and efficiency.
