Eid shoppers finally hit the stores

Despite security threats, inflation and floods, commercial hubs are witnessing a staggering increase in customers.

ISLAMABAD: Despite security threats, high inflation and the recent floods, commercial hubs of the capital are witnessing a staggering increase in customers, according to a survey conducted by The Express Tribune.

“We were expecting very few customers, but as Eid is approaching the numbers of customers keep increasing,” said Hassan Irshad, a salesman at a garment shop in Karachi Company.

There are people who are not only shopping for themselves, but also for the flood victims, said Raheem, a shopkeeper at Peshawar Morr.

He said last Sunday a woman bought 100 sets of bangles, clothes and shoes to give
to children in the flood hit areas.

“We are well aware of the security challenges being faced by our country and the miserable conditions of our brothers and sisters in the flood hit areas, but it is Eid, so we have to do something to celebrate it,” said Shaukat Tiwana, a house wife, while shopping at Karachi Company.

Rahat Zafar, a young professional at Abpara Mark said, “It is painful to see the situation through which our country is passing through, but life has to go on. If we do not celebrate Eid, it will only make the situation gloomier,” she said.

Talking to the Express tribune, Waseem Arif, spokesperson Islamabad Traffic police (ITP) said commercial markets in the capital did not experience much activity in the first three weeks of Ramazan, but since the last week, business activity had increased.

He said that arrangements had been made and ITP officials deployed at various commercial markets to control traffic flow.

“We are with our brother and sisters who lost everything in the floods but Eid is an important occasion for all Muslims and should be celebrated,” said Raheela Shaf, a housewife at Super market. She said she had sent clothes and bangles for the flood victims through an NGO.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2010.