–Citizens accuse transport companies of minting money by increasing fares
As the Eidul Fitr is drawing closer, shopping frenzy has reached its peak in the twin cities though many residents have already left Islamabad for their villages and hometowns.
The buying spree will continue till the ‘Chand Raat’. Most of the shopping centres of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were seen packed with customers, especially after Iftar. Sweets and cake makers in the twin cities were also enjoying the Eid season as their sales have gone up by almost 200 per cent.
Despite formation of vigilance committees by the district administration of the twin cities, to check and control the transport fares before and on Eid days, the commuters faced great hardships in acquiring seats on fixed fares; in order to reach their native villages, they have to hire seats at higher rates in busses, wagons, and coaches.
Rescue 1122 Emergency Ambulance, Rescue and Fire services will remain on high alert during Eid holidays in the twin cities in case of emergencies.
Rawalpindi and Islamabad Rescue 1122 staff will remain on special duties in district control room and emergency rescue stations.
The major shopping centres including Jinnah Super Market, Super Market, Centaurus Mall, Safa Gold Mall, Aabpara Market, F-10 Markaz, Karachi Company in Islamabad, and Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Commercial Market and Saddar in Rawalpindi were beautifully illuminated to attract customers.
The well-to-do potential buyers crowded different shopping centres while low-income group people were seen purchasing their desired items from vendors and road-side stalls.
Shoppers were also visiting readymade garment shops. The shops were flooded with garments for men, women and children, with the latest designs, particularly for children.
Children and women are more enthusiastic in choosing new and unique design clothes to wear on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. A huge crowd of customers at the shopping centres starts from the evening and continues till the closing of the shops.
The illuminating stalls across the city are offering a huge variety of colourful bangles that include the glittering ones, accessories including necklace, rings, anklets, earrings, and a variety of mehndi brands.
With the rise in a number of buyers, traffic jam in the city’s busy market places and intersections, especially in front of shopping centres has become a routine.
Despite special arrangements of the traffic police to avoid congestion in busy markets, traffic remained choked due to sheer lack of traffic sense and the overall trend of law breaking.
Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz has cancelled the leaves of staff of concerned formations to keep Islamabad clean and provision of other services, including water supply, during the Eid days. He said that staff of the MCI has been deputed all over the city in different shifts particularly in commercial areas so that city could be kept clean before and during the Eid days.
He directed to depute staff of Sanitation Directorate at the mosques to ensure cleanliness of the surroundings. Furthermore, he directed to increase and ensure uninterrupted supply of water during the Eid days to further facilitate residents.
Mayor Aziz had also directed Water Supply Wing to depute staff of Water Tanker Service in three shifts. He also directed the Emergency and Disaster Management to remain vigilant during the Eid days so that any emergency situation, if occurred, could be responded promptly.
A help line of Sanitation Directorate 1334 and 9213908 will remain functional and residents can lodge complaints with the above numbers.