LAKKI MARWAT: With Eidul Fitr a few days away shopping for the religious festival has gained momentum in the district markets, particularly in the city bazaars.

Internally displaced tribesmen of North Waziristan Agency staying in the district are also seen shopping for Eid.

“To celebrate Eid away from home is hard, but local people are hospitable and don’t make us feel we are homeless,” said a displaced tribesman. He said Lakki people took care of the needs of displaced families and government and other humanitarian organisations also provided assistance to them.

The tribesman said the displaced families would celebrate the occasion with the hope to be in their hometowns next Eid.

The shops have decorated with new varieties of beautiful items and Eid accessories to attract customers. Several shopkeepers are offering discounted prices on the items of last year. Sale of cosmetics, readymade garments, bangles, toy guns, shoes, hina and jewellery is high despite their soaring prices.  

“Though the city markets have everything for everyone still many cannot afford to buy things of their choice owing to high prices,” said a schoolteacher.

Great rush of people, especially women and children, can be seen in the markets at Lorry Adda, Meenakhel, Saeedkhel, Mela Mandi and Michenkhel.  

While elderly women find it difficult to make a choice among a large variety of Eid items, young girls seem quite good at choosing items. Young girls can be seen crowding around shops offering bangles and artificial jewellery.

“Though there is great rush of women in the markets, they are difficult to bargain with,” said a shopkeeper who deals in cosmetics.

Parents have to appease their accompanying children who insist on buying toy guns, bangles, dolls, hina etc.

Buyers have mixed reaction on the prices of Eid articles like garments, shoes, cosmetics and artificial jewellery. Some say the prices are very high and not affordable for common man, others do not agree to the notion, saying readymade garments and artificial jewellery are in their purchasing power if they keep in mind soaring charges of tailors and of gold and silver ornaments.

They also call for taking care of the needs of poor and destitute people so they can also celebrate the religious festival.

Published in Dawn ,July 16th, 2015

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