ISLAMABAD: Eid shopping has reached its peak as people thronged markets and shopping malls in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to buy clothes, shoes, bangles, henna, cosmetics, jewellery and Eid cards.

Heavy rush can be witnessed at Jinnah Super Market, Aabpara, F-10 Markaz and Karachi Company where shopkeepers have set up stalls of various items.

However, some people complained that due to price hike they were unable to purchase items of their choice.

Makeshift stalls offering clothes and shoes and other items relatively on cheaper rates were the only alternative left for the less privileged.

While purchasing a shirt from a roadside stall in Jinnah Super Market, Akbar Khan, a customer, said he could not afford to buy from shops of branded items.

The rapidly increasing prices of essential items such as clothes are now out of the range of an ordinary person, he added.

Akbar said he knew that the quality of such clothes was not up to the mark but he had no other option.

Moreover, makeshift stalls are not only attracting the lower class but the upper middle class as well due to low prices.

Karim Dad while purchasing shoes from a stall said that everyone had to shop for Eid.

He said that such stalls were a blessing for the poor as they were less concerned about fashion and more about price.

Some shops are offering sale in a bid to clear their old stuff before Eid.

Meanwhile, National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) will arrange a colorful Eid Mela here from July 9 till Eid.

The colorful event has been arranged for families featuring a number of activities and eye catching Eid collection on stalls while the presence of women bangle makers from Hyderabad will be the major attraction of the event.

The event arranged by Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage will provide shopping and recreational opportunities to the families of twin cities in artistically designed cultural pavilions.

The institute will also hold a summer camp of regional languages for children featuring Wakhi Language and Diversity of Gilgit Baltistan and Balochi language portraying glimpses into Baloch culture.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play