Peshawari chappal charms Eid shoppers

People from different districts trek long distances to buy famous footwear

PESHAWAR:

As the Eidul Fitr festivities draw near, the Peshawari chappal, renowned for its captivating traditional designs, has begun to entice customers. Buyers are flocking the markets to acquire these exquisite footwear pieces, each boasting timeless craftsmanship and unique designs, and evoking the rich cultural heritage of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Peshawar’s Jahangirpura market, near the historic Qissakhwani Bazaar, has been the hub of skilled cobblers where they are burning the midnight oil to meet the growing demands of people for the upcoming festive occasion.

People from different districts have trekked long distances to purchase decent, shiny and unique designs for themselves and their family members.

Besides its cultural relevance, one contributing factor to the increased preference for durable readymade chappal is the skyrocketing costs of foreign footwear, which the salaried, middle class and low-income groups can barely afford.

Barkatullah Khan, a local shoemaker who has been involved in this demanding business for the past 20 years in Jhangirpura, noted that people's demand for this traditional chappal has increased manifold due to its durability and shine.

“Currently, we cannot accept more orders due to shortage of time, power loadshedding and fasting,” he said.

Barkat felt proud of adhering to these skills from his forefathers, who were associated with this profession for decades with expertise, skill and craftsmanship.

“Peshawari chappal is my favorite and my Eid seems incomplete without it,” Zeeshan Khan, a government employee and resident of Nowshera, said while selecting the footwear for himself and his family members at Jhangirpura.

“I purchased six sets of handmade designs of Peshawari chappal for Rs5,500 each this year as against Rs4,500 last year for myself, brother, and orphans,” he maintained, adding that purchasing shoes and clothes for poor people would double the joy on Eid.

He urged the government to regulate the business of Peshawari chappal and fix rates for the footwear to facilitate the customers.

Professor Ehtisham Khan, a resident of Nowshera, emphasised that Peshawari chappal remained his top choice for Eid, as it not only added a traditional touch when paired with shalwar qameez but also seamlessly complemented trousers and jeans, aligning with contemporary trends.

"I purchased plain black and green designs of this famous chappal as requested by my brothers," he said, noting that other designs of the footwear, both for girls and boys, featuring various prints embellished with stones, offered a distinct look and individual style, thereby attracting an influx of buyers this Eid.

The unique footwear is not only exported to South Africa, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Europe, Afghanistan, and Russia but is equally popular in Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Professor Ehtisham urged the provincial government to announce a special financial package for the shoemakers. He observed that the centuries-old Peshawari chappal business could flourish only if the authorities provided interest-free loans to the labourers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2024.