Business of blacksmiths, knife sharpeners shine ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

PESHAWAR: The business of blacksmiths and knife sharpeners has registered upward boom in the provincial capital as they are receiving innumerable orders from people ahead of Eid-ul-Azha celebrations.

As only one week left in Eid-ul-Azha celebrations, the blacksmiths and knife sharpeners of Peshawar have received numerous orders to get maximum business in Peshawar and were earning two times high this year.

Knife sharpeners and blacksmiths whether trained or untrained, are deemed as rare commodities these days in Peshawar, who were receiving innumerable orders despite an exorbitant charges for their services.

At Firdus, Rati Bazar, Boards etc in Peshawar, special machines have been installed at various shops to sharpen knives, axes, beef cutters, knives and meat cleavers along with selling Bar-B-Q instruments as part of arrangements for Eid-ul-Azha.

The traders are attracting a number of customers due to their decorated handles and sharp-edged instruments. Butchers' appliances sale including knives, cutters and stand blades etc, has also record increase ahead of Eid in KP and FATA.

The people are also repairing their old and damaged machetes, knives and other tools needed for cutting meat.

Ordinary shopkeepers, professional and untrained blacksmiths and knife sharpeners belonging to far flung areas of KP and FATA are also being seen selling these tools in different areas of Peshawar including Gulbahar, Hastnagri, Karimpura, Cantonment areas, Tehkal, Latifabad, Ghareeb Abad, Hayatabad, Board and adjoining areas and were earning two times high. Eid-ul-Azha has brought joy for people viz a viz blacksmiths, butchers and knives sharpeners and trained as well as untrained blacksmiths and knives sharpeners have arrived here to get maximum profits here.

'I came from Nowshera to Peshawar keeping in view of high profit here,' Zardali, a knife sharpener of Pabbi Nowshera told APP.

'My sale has increased these days compare to normal days and was earning two times high,' he explained.

Waris Ali, a blacksmith in Firdus told APP that he had received a number of orders from people and butchers for preparation of different kinds of knifes and sacrificial tools.

We are waiting for occasion of Eid-ul-Azha throughout the year and at present moment I have a very hectic schedule and was working till late night to meet received orders of customers, he said.

Mukaram, another blacksmith told APP said that this year he has witnessed a very high sale due to massive response of people and was saves about Rs 3,000 per day, adding Eid also brings happiness and economic joys for people of our professions.

The vendors were also seen roaming on bicycles and motorbikes to sell tools for sacrifice, besides offering services to sharpen the rusted slaughter equipments.

Ehtesham Khan, a stallholder, said these were exceptional days for them as they waited for Eid-ul-Azha occasions through the year and their business activities were continued till late night in Ratai Bazaar, a famous hub for sacrificial tools in Peshawar.

The high prices is mainly due to transportation, labour forces and energy expenses.

Misal Khan, an elder man of Nowshera told APP that blacksmiths and knives sharpeners were demanded high prices for sacrificial tools that needed to be checked by the district administration.

He also demanded of the authorities to arrange special bazaars and fixed prices of these items besides take strict action against profiteers.