The encroachments at footpaths in the markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are putting Eid shoppers in trouble leaving no place to walk.
The vendors have established their stalls of items like jewellery, cosmetics, shoes, watches, toys, garments etc. in the front of the big shops covering the areas of footpaths.
This trend is increasing to attract the customers coming to markets for Eid shopping.
“Vendors have occupied the footpaths around the markets, leaving no option for the people but to walk on the roads which increases rush in markets,” said Zahid Akmal, a customer who came for shopping with his family at the commercial market.
These footpaths look like a commercial area rather than public place to move on but no one checks or vacates the occupied place from them.
A shop owner, Muhammad Aslam said these vendors badly affect their business as they do not allow the customers to enter the shops and try their best to facilitate them with their low price stuff.
Dr Asma Sajjad, a physician warned the people not to take any eatables from these vendors’ shops as they are highly unhygienic.
She further said that the jewellery and especially the cosmetics available at these stalls are of low standard and can cause a number of allergies to human skin.
She said, “The chemicals used in these substandard cosmetics are quite harmful and may cause a number of diseases.”
She further said that she has treated many girls whose palm skin was badly rashed due to the ‘mehndi’ (henna) available at these stalls at low rates.
