PESHAWAR
Charsadda Chappal, a famous locally-made leather footwear, has started attracting shoppers in droves ahead of the Eidul Fitr’s celebrations.
As only few days left in Eidul Fitr, the people especially youth has thronged to Charsadda and Peshawari Chappal outlets at Namak Mandai, Qissa Khwani and Jahangi Mohalla bazaars to select appropriate colour shoe matching with suits to look different on Eid.
After significant decrease of coronavirus cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa especially in Peshawar, the Charsadda and Peshawari Chappal outlets in cities and cantonment bazaars are making roaring business these days.
Jahangirpura Bazaar, a hub of skilled cobblers and shoemakers near Qissa Khawani are working against the clock to meet the pressing demands of Eid shoppers.
“People’s response to Charsadda and Peshawari Chappals are overwhelming this year due to reduction of coraonvirus cases and we are tirelessly working till Sehri to complete the pressing orders of our customers,” said Ustad Israrullah, a shoe-maker of Charsadda and Peshawari Chappal at Qissa Khwani while talking to APP on Thursday.
He said new booking was stopped keeping in view of the heavy load of the placed orders, load shedding and fasting. Israrullah said he has received orders from Punjab and Islamabad from customers to buy these leather made decent, shiny and cost efficient Chappals for themselves, friends and their family members as special Eid items.
“Charsadda chappal is available on Rs2500 to Rs3000 depending on its quality and durability, which is cost-efficient than foreign brands footwear and within the rich of common people,” he said.
Inherited the hard-earned business from his forefathers, Israr said a single pair of Charsadda Chappal passes through six stages of skilled hands to become a finished product.
“In first step, its sole is flattened with a rubber piece whereas in the second stage, a piece of leather is sewn and then fitting of the piece with the sole is done in the third and fourth stage respectively.”
In the fifth stage, he said the pair is stuffed with a wooden piece to stretch and fix all the nails, leather and thread placed together to get the shoe adjusted and make it durable.
Israr said in sixth stage finishing touches are given to a piece including polishing and varnishing to improve its look while artisans also paint its border with a selected chemical for a better shine.
He said later finishing touches are given to a piece in sixth stage, which includes polishing and varnishing to improve its look while artisans also paint its border with a selected chemical for a better shine.
“Charsadda and Peshawari Chappals business has been severely affected by coronavirus lockdowns and shoemakers of KP had suffered great economic and financial losses during the pandemic,” he added.
Israr urged the PTI government to announce a special financial package for shoemakers and lockdown-affected labourers besides granting soft loans.
“I love leather-made black Charssada Chappal due to its unique shine and durability and my prefer choice for Eidul Fitre,’ said Sajid Khan, a resident of Pabbi Nowshera while selecting shoes at Namak Mandi Peshawar.
Sajid said he purchased 10 pairs of Charsadda Chappals for my family, brothers and relatives as an Eid gift.
Israrullah said black and gray colour designs with different prints embellished with stones were being proffered by a large number of customers on the occasion of Eid.
“The unique footwear is also being exported to Gulf, Saudia Arabia, UAE, South Africa, United Kingdom, Europe, Afghanistan and Russia,’ he added.
