Despite the fact that Eid-ul-Fitr is just few days away, shopping for the festival which normally reaches its climax by that time has failed to gain momentum so far due to continues recession and escalating prices of stuffs. As the biggest Muslim festival is approaching fast, the price hike has dimmed the buyers' joys as registering manifold increased in rates of all range of stuffs, especially garments, lady footwear, shoes, artificial jewellery and bangles and others this year.
Though, the Eid shopping has gained momentum as hug rush of women buyers seen in major bazaars, shopping centres, plaza and local streets, wherein sale persons have displayed different varieties and stuffs, but the buyers are frustrated with skyrocketing prices. A group of shopkeepers of the main city markets told this correspondent that the buying was far less than that of last couple of years due to price hike and unemployment.
In a visit to local markets here, very low turnout of shoppers has been witnessed this year. It was noted that buyers showed their great disliking and regretted about the prevalent situation of hike in prices of essentials on such occasions. The customers, mostly women along with their children and relatives thronged to the bazaars eagerly for Eid shopping were seen returning home without buying anything due to high prices.
It was witnessed that the prices of all king of stuffs, particularly readymade garments, shoe and other traditional outfits have gone up almost 100 percent this year. An ordinary readymade child suit is being available within range of Rs1000 and Rs1500. In case the same trend continuous then there will be no chance for shopkeepers to sell even 50 percent of their stock for Eid, said shoes and garments shop owners in Mena Bazaar Peshawar while talking to this scribe here on Saturday.
There was low turnout in main city bazaars and shopping centres, including Mena bazaar, Shaheen bazaar, Qissa Khawani, Saddar Shafi market, university town and others. It was observed that the prices of sandals, joggers, ladies and children shoes, have gone out of common man's reach.
For instance, a pair of ladies sandal was available at Rs500 and Rs600 is now being sold at Rs800 and Rs1000, while price of male footwear also witnessed a huge rise this year, being sold within range of Rs1000 and Rs1200. An ordinary trouser and shirt suit for men is being sold at Rs700 to Rs1000 as against the last year's price of Rs500 and Rs600. Similarly, the prices of almost all local varieties of garments have also been enhanced manifold by the manufacturers.
Ikram Jani, a garment vendor in Mena bazaar Peshawar said usually the Eid shopping has picked up in last 10 days of the Ramazan but this year the sale was very low due to increase in rates of all king of stuffs and price-hike. Another shopkeeper said that rates of every item of the jewellery had risen sharply, adding that people liked the Indian jewellery.
Anjuman E Tajraan Centre President said that the people had twice voted PTI to bring change but it has multiplied miseries of common man by increasing prices of essential commodities, prices of petroleum, electricity, gas and others, which had brought a tsunami of price-hike, which had miserably hit the poverty-stricken masses.
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