Salman Ashraf
With Eidul Fitr fast approaching, Eid shopping is picking momentum as massive crowds could be seen at markets and shopping malls buying clothes, shoes, henna, cosmetics, jewellery and glass bangles.
Eid festivities have soared, as everyone seems happy, especially children whose excitement is at its peak, as they are visiting markets with their parents to buy new clothes, shoes.
Shopkeepers have raised the prices ahead of the Eid considerably, even though many of them have displayed “sale” signs to hoodwink the customers.
Ishaq, a stall owner, told Pakistan Today that Eid is the only special occasion for them to earn money since their business remained at the lowest ebb for the rest of the year.
Maaz, 37, who was buying clothes for his seven-year-old daughter from Aabpara Market, said that though they are anxiously waiting for the Eid festival, the inflation has shattered their dreams to buy new clothes and shoes for kids.
“I am a salaried person and lives almost hand to mouth, so it is next to impossible to fulfill my children’s desires to buy the costly things for them” he regretted.
Ali said that the roadside stalls are blessing for the poor, where low-priced clothes and shoes are available, adding that they could not afford branded items.
Madiha, a student of 2nd year, said, “Eid comes only twice a year; therefore, we want to buy new clothes, bangles and shoes; however, it is not possible for us this time around owing to the massive increase in the prices of dresses and other things.”
People from different ages and genders could be seen busy in Eid shopping, but the majority of them were just doing window shopping.
On one hand, the people seemed happy on the arrival of Eid, but on the other, they are worried due to rising prices.
Laila Malik said that she only came to the Centaurus Mall for enjoyment, as buying things here is beyond their purchasing power.
Due to increase in the number of buyers‚ traffic jammed quite often in market places and intersections‚ particularly in front of shopping centres including Jinnah Super, Aabpara Market, F-10 Markaz and Karachi Company.
When contacted, a senior police official said that traffic plan has been devised so as the general public won’t have to face any problems. However, he said that the problem could only be solved if people also cooperated with the traffic police.