Shopping craze hits fever pitch on chand raat
People look at handbags on display outside shops in a market, ahead of Eidul Fitr celebrations in Karachi. PHOTO: REUTERS
Although the Eid shopping frenzy touched its peak as Eid drew nearer, but the buying and selling of Eid-related items touched new heights on Chand Raat with a heavy rush being witnessed in the markets of the twin cities.
Jubilant young girls, women, and youth were rushing to markets for buying missing items on Eid’s Eve.
The shopping at all the small and big commercial centres of the twin cities including Centaurus Mall, Safa Gold Mall, Bara Bazaar, Commercial Market, Saddar Bazaars, Tench Bhata Bazaar was at its peak.
A large number of families visited the stalls of henna and bangles and women and girls were seen applying henna on their hands. Customers were being charged Rs500 for delicate henna designs.
The price of bangles increased this year enormously from Rs300 to Rs1,500.
On the Chand Raat, most of the markets and commercial centres remained open till morning. The traffic in all bazaars and commercial centres was in total disarray due to wrong parking and poor management.
During day time, the markets witnessed a relatively less number of visitors however after Iftar, the shopping spree gained momentum.
Families from far-flung suburbs went shopping during the day due to which, traffic flow was paralysed on all major roads including Murree Road, roads leading to Raja Bazaar, Liaquat Road, Iqbal Road, China Market, Jamia Masjid Road, Banj Chowk, Kashmiri Bazaar, and City Saddar Road.
Private contractors also benefited from the rush at parking spaces. The contractors were charging Rs100 for cars and Rs80 for motorbikes in the markets.
Meanwhile, foolproof arrangements for security of shoppers were made.
Due to the rush, shopkeepers were seen selling items at exorbitant prices. This year, the prices of garments were also extremely high. Readymade suits for children were sold at Rs4,000 to Rs8,000, girls' suits at Rs6,000 to Rs9,000, and women's suits from Rs7,000 to Rs15,000.
Children's glasses, fashion watches, hair bands, artificial jewelry, small bags were also sold at high prices.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2023.