December 17, 2001	Monday	Shawwal 1, 1422

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FAISALABAD, Dec 16: The continuous recession and escalating prices of commodities have dampened Eid festivities.

Traditional hustle and bustle of Eid was not witnessed this year and a majority of the people were seen returning home without shopping due to high prices of clothes, shoes, jewellery and eatables.

“Very low turnout of shoppers has been witnessed this year. In case the same trend continues then there will be no chance for shopkeepers to sell even 50 per cent of their stock for Eid,” commented a garments shop owner of Kutchery Bazaar.

There was a low turnout also in markets set up in residential areas, including Samanabad, Ghulam Muhammadabad, Gulistan Colony, Jhang Road and Mansoorabad.

It was noticed that almost all the shops selling ladies and children’s garments, shoes and artificial jewellery were full of new and old varieties but shopkeepers were seen sitting idle. Even offers of handsome discounts and gift hampers failed to attract buyers.

A great rush of women ‘window’ shoppers was seen in Bhawana Bazaar, Kutchery Bazaar, Rail Bazaar, Jhang Bazaar, Satiana Road, Anarkali, Arshad Market, Narwala Road and adjoining areas. However, the stalls of bangles and henna were seen attracting a large number of girls and women.

A group of shopkeepers of the main city markets told this correspondent that the buying was far less than that of last couple of years due to price hike and unemployment. The present war like situation in the country also hampered the business this year causing huge loss to them, they added.

It was also observed that a pair of locally made leather shoes which was available at Rs500 to Rs700 is now being sold at Rs1,000. The prices of hush puppies, sandals, joggers, ladies and children shoes have also gone out of common man’s reach. Famous national and multi-national shoe companies have also increased the prices of all their varieties.

An ordinary trouser and shirt suit for men is being sold for Rs700 to Rs900 as against last year’s price of Rs500 to Rs600. Similarly, the prices of almost all local varieties of garments have also been enhanced manifold by the manufacturers.

Famous tailors of the city have also enhanced charges by 30 per cent. They are charging Rs200 for a shalwar-kameez suit as against last year’s rate of Rs150. It may be noted here that majority of the people of Faisalabad are daily wage earners working in industrial units and factories. Due to closure of hundreds of small industries, the families of unemployed labourers left with no option but to use old clothes on Eid.

The only aspect seemed thriving is the menace of begging. A large number of small girls and women, many of them having sucklings in their laps, could be seen in bazaars and shopping centres.