LAHORE: With the by-elections in Lahore inching closer, hundreds of people are seizing an opportunity to earn more than usual by being a part of the campaigning process.

The electioneering has also opened avenues for scores of unemployed youths as both the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf are putting in all their energies to win the NA-122 and PP-147 seats.

Election offices set up by PML-N stalwart and former speaker of National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s close aide Abdul Aleem Khan continue to draw a large number of supporters throughout the day and traders of adjoining areas are enjoying an unusual boost in their sale.

“Since the electioneering gained momentum after Eidul Azha, I am selling more than 2,500 bottles of water, juices and cold drinks a day,” said Abrar who runs a paan shop near Garhi Shahu Chowk.

In the nearby Main Bazaar, Nadeem Iqbal has doubled the quantity of Biryani on his cart. Cashier of an outlet of a chain of bakeries on Allama Iqbal Road says their sale has gone up at least by 200 per cent.

Owners of tea stalls and roadside eateries at Ferozepur Road near Ichhra, at Wahdat Road near Muslim Town Morr also claim to have earned during the last week more money than they normally make in a month.

Kiosks offering fast food like burgers, sandwiches and shawarma besides owners of catering and tent service shops are enjoying an unexpected boost in their business.

While bread makers at Ichhra, Muslim Town Morr and Mozang say there has been a significant surge in orders for qeemaywala and roghni naan.

Flower sellers at Lytton and Bahawalpur roads are also doing roaring business as a significant increase in the sales of garlands and rose petals have been witnessed.

Street vendors, especially offering seasonal fruits like banana and apple are also pulling in some good money.

Flex and billboard makers besides owners of printing houses are doing booming business with the prices varying from normal to fast service delivery while scores of educated but employed youth are also among those benefitting from the by-election.

Farooq Baig, owner of a printing press in Royal Park, says he has been getting bulk orders for party flags, stickers and leaflets.

Two youths who were fixing a banner above a road in Samanabad expressed an unusual desire. “We should go to the polls regularly,” says Usman who graduated last year but was jobless before the launch of electioneering.

“Elections on a regular basis not only strengthen democracy but also generate economic activity enabling many like us to supplement their family income,” maintains Ibrahim while removing ladder from the pole where he had installed a banner.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2015

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