No Eid bazaars for shoppers this year
The Rawalpindi district administration has decided to give up on its plans to set up 20 Eid Subsidy Bazaars, 16 Eid Bazaars, and 24 Eid Pushcart Bazaars due to the ongoing economic crisis.
According to sources, these Eid bazaars were being set up from the 20th of the fasting month to Chand Raat for the last 40 years.
This year, they said, subsidy funds have not been allocated for these markets against the expectations of citizens reeling under super inflation.
Sources also said all these Eid bazaars have been temporarily replaced by automobile workshops, parking lots and children's play areas.
Previously, the district administration ditched Ramazan Sasta Bazaars citing similar reasons.
The administration had allowed shopkeepers to set up Ramazan Sasta Bazaars on their own, but these bazaars soon disappeared.
On the other hand, with no hopes of Eid bazaars, deserving families have started turning to various city markets for Eid shopping.
The Eid bazaars were to be set up at Committee Chowk, Allama Iqbal Park, Dhok Hasu, Haidari Chowk, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Morgah, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Adiala Road, Chongi 22 and Chohar Chowk.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2023.