ATTOCK, Aug 14:  As only four or five days are left for Eid, the traditional holiday shopping has  picked up. Huge crowds are thronging to shopping centres.

Heavy rush was witnessed in almost all shopping areas including bank road, Meena bazaar, main baazar, Imambara road and Kamra market.

Buyers and sellers were seen arguing over the rates of daily use items to luxury attires for the occasion. However, buyers say they were disheartened by price hike this time.

Eid is the most enjoyable occasion for Muslims and everyone tries to buy new clothes within his or her budget. Hence, to attract potential customers, shopkeepers meticulously decorate their boutiques with new dresses and beautiful attires.

The demand of local and foreign made clothes, footwear, cosmetics are high in the markets, while mehndi and bangle shops and stalls attracted huge crowds of women and young girls.

The footpath markets at busy main bazaars and Fountain Chowk and pleader line and other busy spots of the city are also gaining shopping momentum that were crowded by the people belonging to lower income groups like daily wage earners and workers to fulfill their Eid shopping desires and festivities.Moreover, local boutiques became more attractive places to the upper class customers for buying fashionable dresses. Well-off people say they are getting the dress of their choice in these shops, but middle class customers argue that the prices of these dresses are quite high as compared to others shops.

As a result, they find it difficult to buy the most preferable one within their limited budget. While boutique owners said that as the production costs are getting higher.

Despite the enthusiasm in Eid shopping, there was also security concerns and fear among the shoppers in wake of threat of terrorism. Considering this matter, the police have increased the security in the city and adjoining areas to maintain law and order.Meanwhile, Attock district police have made special security arrangements across the district to maintain law and order during Eid holidays.

As per security plan, the police and Elite Force would be deputed at mosques, Imambargahs and other open places, where the Eid prayers were scheduled, police sources said. All police officers have also been directed to personally patrol the areas of their jurisdiction to ensure the implementation of security measures.