PESHAWAR: The Eid shopping in different markets of the provincial metropolis reached its peak on Thursday as the people of all ages, mostly accompanied by their families, were seen in various streets and bazaars to buy different items.

It was observed that therush of customers, attempting to push their way into the already overcrowdedmarkets, also made movement of children and women difficult in the busy bazaars like Jinnah Street and Gora Bazaar of Peshawar Saddar.

Huge rush was observed on the stalls of various items like bangles, henna, cosmetics, garments, shoes and other commodities. Almost all shopkeepers have set up stalls outside their shops to attract the customers.

Rush of customers makes movement of women difficult in overcrowded bazaars

“The massive rush is due to the possibility that Eid will be celebrated on Friday. Most of the customers belonging to other districts and intending to go to hometowns are in hurry to complete their shopping at any cost,” said Sajid, a shopkeeper.

He said that the local people used to come to the bazaars after Iftar and remained busy in shopping till Sehri but Thursday was perhaps the last day of Ramazan so everyone wanted to purchase whatever was needed.

Khadim Hussain, another shopkeeper, said that the last three days were very busy for them otherwise the rest of entire month the shopkeepers sat idle because the customers avoided coming to the bazaars due to the rising temperature.

“The power outages and hot weather forced the people to remain indoors at least to avoid sun strokes,” he said.

Mr Hussain said that people changed their style of shopping to avoid complications they usually faced in parking, harsh weather and used to arrive after Iftar and continued buying different things with full satisfaction.

He said that some groups of young people regularly visited the bazaars and caused nuisance for the women customers. He said that government should take action against such people.

The shopkeeper said that daytime shopping was risky, particularly for families, as no one wanted to park his vehicle under the scorching sun. He said that government should arrange separate space for parking to avoid police action.

Adnan, a customer, who was busy in selecting readymade garments for his children, said that tailors started charging the customers heavily and it was better to buy the readymade items.

He said that there was no check on the rates of garments, artificial jewellery, cosmetics and other items and shopkeepers were in the habit to exploit the customers during the last days of Ramazan.

Tasleem, a resident of Mardan, said that the rates of various items in his area were low as compared to Peshawar but even then the customers liked to visit major bazaars. He said that cosmetics were mostly China-made that were available everywhere very easily.

The poor people also rushed to Firdus bazaar where secondhand clothes and shoes were in high demand. An observer told Dawn that at the stalls of secondhand items were set up on special days like Friday, Sunday or annual festivals but owing to the increasing poverty those items were then available on daily basis.

The adults, he said, could get a pair of secondhand clothes at Rs300 to Rs500 while the children from Rs150 to Rs200. Similarly adults could get shoes at Rs300 and the children at Rs50 to Rs150 that were affordable for daily wagers.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2018