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Faithful throng Lahore bazars for Eid shopping

ZAHID A. BAIG

LAHORE: With barely two days in hand before Eid-ul-Fitr, the faithful are thronging various city markets and bazars to complete their shopping for the event before the moon is sighted.

Although famous bazars and markets are full of men and women of all ages, the traders are complaining that their sales are not as much as they had expected, rather they claim, sales are down by 15 to 25 percent as compared to the last year.

Besides the traditional shopping points, Anarkali Bazar, Ichhra, Mall Road, Panorama Center, Liberty Market, Gulberg, Fortress Stadium, Moon Market in Allama Iqbal Town and Gulshan-e-Ravi, Mozang Bazar, Islampura, Shadman, and some markets in northern Lahore, there are many temporary Eid bazars set up in different localities of the city.

These temporary stalls are offering all kinds of articles from shoes to ready-made garments and woolen hosiery. Prices of these commodities are also far less than what the shopkeepers are offering at their shops in big and small markets of the provincial metropolis. Nevertheless, traders are of the view that the articles being sold in these temporary stalls are no match in quality with items being offered by them.

These temporary stalls have played a very significant role in ensuring stabilisation of prices of various articles

Markets have been decorated tastefully by the shopkeepers to attract buyers, while colourful banners and illumination give a look of festivity to the whole city. Besides this, many major shops are offering cheap bargains, too, under the banners of sale. Nonetheless, the items placed on sales are old-fashioned, whether these are shoes, ready-made garments or anything else.

Major rush of buyers at present is being seen at shops offering shoes and ready-made garments, as cloth for stitching is not being accepted by the tailors. Shoes are available at rates ranging from Rs. 350 to Rs. 2,500 and above subject to their material, design and brands. Ready-made shirts are available at temporary stalls and at sales for Rs. 150 and above while the rates at the shops for similar garments are priced upwards of Rs. 25 depending on the material and brand. Similarly, ready-made shalwar-Kameez at sale can be obtained for Rs. 500 or more while the rates at normal shops start from Rs. 750.

Famous brands of ready-made garments have also put stocks of their latest designs in the market. Nevertheless, there is no unusual hike in the prices of these garments though there is 10 to 25 percent rise in the price of woolen hosiery articles, traders of various markets stated.

The temporary stalls erected mainly by youths selling bangles and Mehndi, however, have inflated rates. At these stalls customers are being charged arbitrary prices.

Some buyers, commenting on stabilisation of prices this year, said that it might be the fear of army monitoring teams and a constant check by the government on the price index.

However, the traders said that inflation was already very high and purchasing power of the masses was considerably reduced, which might be one reason the prices were not increased so as to ensure bigger sales.

Another tradition of the city of Lahore has been shopping at night after Iftari. But the severe cold and fog have hit this tradition very hard this year, and in the night people are not seen in large numbers at the shops or stalls. They are prefer to complete their buying before Iftar prayers and return to their homes well before start of the night.

The district administration has made special arrangements to ensure law and order, especially in the markets where a huge rush of buyers is seen. Measures have also been taken to avoid any subversive activity. The Traffic Police is also seen busy in controlling the traffic in places like Anarkali, Islampura Bazar, Liberty and many other places to ensure that no traffic jams or other difficulties are caused to the public.