Sidestepping the heat: Locals throng markets ahead of Ramazan

PESHAWAR: As the Ramazan moon was likely to be sighted, people thronged major markets of the city on Monday to avoid shopping in the scorching heat during their fast.

While shopping in Saddar Bazaar, Nabi Jan, a resident of Hayatabad, told The Express Tribune he has almost completed shopping for Eidul Fitr. He said he was running errands in advance to avoid going out during the day as he fasts.

Summer temperatures are soaring as high as 44 degrees Centigrade. Therefore, Jan is not the only one gearing up to protect himself from the sun.



The city’s markets like Saddar Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Hashtnagri and Karkhano markets were packed to the brim with customers shopping for Ramazan and Eidul Fitr.

One reason or another

However, locals have different reasons to complete their errands before the religious occasion.

Ibrarullah, another local found shopping in Saddar Bazaar, told The Express Tribune that on days ahead of Eid, shopkeepers increase the prices of products, especially shoes and clothes.

“I have bought pairs of shoes for myself and my family members at reasonable prices,” he said. “Had I gone to buy them a few days ahead of Eid, the prices would have doubled.”

Not just food 

It is not just food and clothes that people are rushing to the markets to buy. Locals also have other things on their list.

Karkhano Market, famous for selling used products, has witnessed hundreds of customers looking for air conditioners and UPS for their houses at an affordable price.

Locals at the market said it would be hard to bear the heat in Ramazan, especially with prolonged power outages.

Karim Khan, who was buying an air conditioner for his room, told The Express Tribune it would be difficult to spend the long and hot summer days fasting without an air conditioner.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2016.