Shoppers throng markets ahead of Eid

Traders say sales likely to go up in last 10 days of holy month

RAWALPINDI:

As Eidul-Fitr approaches near, buyers have started swarming markets and shopping malls to get their shopping done for the big occasion.

A large number of citizens are heading to commercial markets and shopping centres in the garrison city after Iftar and the rush continues through to Sehri.

It becomes almost impossible to walk in the marketplaces, especially from 7 am to 12 pm.

Several local brands have begun displaying their latest Eid editions of dresses, shoes, and other essential accessories to attract buyers and gain maximum profits.

Families come out for shopping soon after iftar and are seen buying shoes, cosmetics, ready-made garments, eye-catching artificial jewellery, multi-coloured bangles, and other items for the upcoming festival of Eid ul Fitr.

A colourful variety of stalls have been set up displaying earrings, glittering bangles, embroidered clothes, and jewellery.

Due to the huge rush, private contractors have also set up illegal parking areas and charge a heavy fee at all major commercial centres including Murree Road, Saddar, Gakhar Plaza, Commercial Market, Bara Bazar, Fawara Chowk, Raja Bazar, Iqbal Road, Bani Chowk, China Market and Jamia Masjid Road.

The contractors charge a parking fee of Rs70 for cars, Rs50 for motorbikes and Rs50 to Rs70 for taxis and rickshaws.

The private contractors maintain that they have secured the parking contract from the government, while the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and the Cantonment board deny it. These contractors have marked their parking areas by installing ropes.

Traders in all commercial centres have also allowed vendor to set up temporary stalls in front of shops. Shopkeepers have rented these temporary stalls from Rs5,000 to Rs10,000 according to the space.

Artificial jewellery, hosiery and children's clothes are being sold on these stalls.

Walking in major commercial centers and bazaars has become impossible due to overcrowding and temporary stalls and parking of vehicles on both sides of roads.

Huge traffic rush could also be seen in all small markets of Sadiqabad, New Katarian, Dhok Khaba, Jhanda Chichi, Tinchbhata Bazaar, Chauhar Chowk, Kalma Chowk, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Adiala Road and Ganjmundi Bazaar.

The city roads witness traffic due to the large number of shoppers heading to the market at the same time.

Traffic police have decided to stop entry of vehicles on one side of the road from Saddar, Bank Road and Kashmir Road Chowk to Railway Station Chowk to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Police have also been assigned duties to prevent illegal crossing by installing barriers in all busy markets. Citizens Arshad Sati and Amjad Khan said that this time the rates of garments and shoes were 300 per cent higher than the last year.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2023.