LAHORE, Nov 3: Shopping for the Eidul Fitr continued here even after midnight on Thursday after the sighting of the moon in the evening. Eid shopping remained in low-key this year on account of the gloom due to earthquake and preoccupation of the people with efforts for providing relief to the victims. Eid Melas were not organized in the markets like the past in view of public sympathy towards the quake victims. Markets and shops were not decorated and illuminated for Eid either.

The rush for shopping observed in the past was not seen on Thursday in view of continuous appeals for keeping the celebration as simple as possible. Traffic pressure on the roads had reduced due to departure of a sizable number of people from the city for celebrating the Eid in their ancestral towns and villages.

Most of the items purchased for the Eid were the same as in the past. The girls purchased bangles, henna cones, artificial jewellery and shoes and the boys shoes and readymade clothes. Sweets were purchased for distribution among relatives and close friends.

Baloch: Punjab Jamaat-i-Islami amir Liaquat Baloch along with local leaders collected donations for quake victims in various city markets on Thursday.

They took a round of Anarkali, Nila Gumbad, Gunpat Road and Liberty Market and collected donations from shopkeepers as well as visitors.

Meanwhile, central JI leaders will celebrate Eid in the quake-hit areas and will distribute Eid gift packs among the affected people.

Party amir Qazi Husain Ahmad has left for Muzaffarabad where he will visit camps of victims.

Liaquat Baloch and Naib Amir Prof Ibrahim will pass their Eid day in Bagh and Rawalakot, respectively, while relief coordinator Naimatullah Khan and senior NWFP minister Sirajul Haq will be in Balakot.

At least 100 Pakistani and foreigner doctors and their family members along with Pakistan Islamic Medical Welfare Association’s office-bearers will also be celebrating Eid in Bagh, Balakot and Muzaffarabad.

They have left for the areas with three truckloads of medicines, medical equipment and Eid gifts for the victims.

In an Eid message, Qazi Husain Ahmad has urged the need for keeping miseries of Oct 8 earthquake survivors in mind while celebrating Eid.

“We should come forward and feel our responsibilities vis-a-vis mitigating the agony of our suffering brethren in this hour of happiness.”