Lahore: The Sahiwal Fruit and Vegetable Market is poised for relocation to a new site this month, as construction and development work near completion. This was announced by Salma Butt, Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister for Food Safety, during a meeting of the Punjab Agriculture Marketing Regulatory Authority (PAMRA).

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the meeting, which was attended by senior officials including Food Safety Secretary Dr. Kiran Khursheed and PAMRA Director General Zeeshan Nasrullah, reviewed the progress of the development project. The market’s construction had been stalled since 2018 due to funding issues but resumed in 2025 following intervention by Salma Butt.

Officials reported that the main platform sheds are in the final stages of construction, expected to be completed within the next two to three weeks. Salma Butt confirmed that all stakeholder consultations regarding the market’s relocation had concluded with a consensus for a smooth transition.

Dr. Kiran Khursheed informed attendees that the auction of market plots, which had been on hiatus for a decade, resumed in July, August, and September 2026, generating Rs895 million from 55 plots. Of this, Rs286 million has been collected, with Rs609 million outstanding. She noted that a portion of these proceeds was deposited into the market committee fund within three days.

Salma Butt highlighted that legal and financial barriers to the market’s development have been addressed, ensuring practical progress. She emphasized that the relocation will enhance business facilities and organization for traders and the public, making the system for trading fruits and vegetables more efficient.