SWABI, Nov 7: High prices of ready-made garments, footwear, cosmetics and other goods usually bought for Eid have so far kept people from coming in large numbers to the Swabi district markets.

As the festival draws near, the shopping should have gained momentum. But the middle and lower middle classes have been experiencing difficulties in meeting the expenses of Ramazan because the government has failed in keeping a check on foodstuff prices.

Jewellery, bangles and henna shops, busiest spots in pre-Eid days, are not doing the usual business and women are not seen coming in hordes.

"With Eid just around the corner, the typical hustle and bustle is not in sight in the district markets because people's purchasing power has declined," said a ready-made garment dealer.

Traders say they face embarrassment when they compare customers' interest and enthusiasm in previous year with that they are seeing now.

"Last year, the government employees had received their salaries in advance, which is not the case this year," Zirab Khan, a ready-made garment trader of Linked Road Bazaar, said.

There is no overwhelming response in the current season, and trader's high hopes of reaping great profits have been dashed. The shops selling cosmetics are not having the expected rush. Some traders, however, say the buying would pick up momentum in the last five days of Ramazan.

Customers say that exorbitant prices of foodstuff and the burden of paying utility bills during the first half of the month have dented their budgets.

"The prices of garments and cosmetics have doubled. A child's suit, available last year at Rs150, cannot be had that cheap," said a woman.

"I have been earning Rs100 per day while working as a labourer. I am at a loss how to satisfy the aspirations of my five children for Eid," said Musharraf Khan of Maneri Bala.

"Everyone gets new clothes but I cannot manage even that," said Afzal Khan of Naro Banda.

EID CARDS: The tradition of sending Eid cards has been diminishing with the growing use of the Internet. People say a great change has occurred in the last one decade. A majority of the people now send greetings to the near and dear ones through e-mail.