KARACHI, Sept 5 Makers of Panaflex banners and printers bagged more business before Ramazan this year as orders of printing from charitable organisations and NGOs increased over the last year.

Before Ramazan many outfits dependent on local donations organised publicity campaigns to catch attention of potential donors.

Muslims are supposed to be most generous during the month of Ramazan when they cleanse their accumulated capital by paying two and a half per cent of the total value as ordained by their religion. They donate in the name of Zakat, khairat, fitra, and sadqa.

As many high profile philanthropic organisations have extended their network to attract funds to support their structure.

This keeps them in constant pressure and push them to compete vigorously for their share in the donation pie in the country.

The trendy screen printers almost evicted manual painters and simple printers from the market as panaflex banners are more attractive and cost effective.

Market people in this business offered mixed views as some say that orders were 50 per cent more than last year due to arrival of a number of private firms for placing huge orders for panaflex banners.

Others believed that the growth in orders was 10 per cent higher than last year.

There was no consolidated figure available on how much square ft of panaflex sheets have been used in Karachi for Zakat collection appeals.

Mushtaq Khan of Mushtaq Brothers Advertising at Al-Karam Square Liaquatabad said that a panaflex banner of 6x3 size costs Rs750 for displaying on the pole while 7x3 costs Rs850. The city government charges Rs50 per day.

He was of the view that only 10 per cent growth was registered this year as he claimed that still many signboards were displaying “To let” sign.

He claimed that panaflex has captured 75 per cent market share while 25 per cent share is held by screen banners.

It is also not clear whether the religious parties and private firms are managing the purchase cost and display rent of panaflex banners, hoardings, screen banners etc from their own separate funds or they are doing by deducting a meager amount from the Zakat and khairat collections received from the people.

He said that the city government either did not charge any rental during Ramazan or sometimes takes very nominal charges.

He said for 20x10 size, the city government charged between Rs20,000-30,000 per month depending on the area while for 45x15 the rent ranges between Rs40,000-70,000 and for 60x20 size, the rent is Rs100,000-150,000.

Another panaflex banner maker said that this year the business was 50 per cent more than last year owing to arrival of some private firms in collection of Zakat.

He said that some panaflex makers are charging Rs15-16 per square ft on Chinese machines, while some are demanding Rs10-11 per square ft on Pakistani made machines.