APP
PESHAWAR
Eid shopping activities Sunday reached to its peak in all districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa where people thronged to shopping arcades, malls and markets to select appropriate stitched garments, shoes, bangles and cosmetics for themselves and their loved ones to celebrate Eid in most befitting manner.
As Eidul Fitre is around the corner, Peshawarites on Sunday thronged to shopping malls and markets where great hustle and bustle were witnessed ahead of Chand Raat.
Stitched shirts especially of lawn and cotton prints, perfumes and cosmetics besides Peshawari and Carsadda Chappals are dominating the city’s fashion markets and shopping arcades on the advent of Eid-ul-Fitr as unprecedented rush of shoppers are being witnessed especially after Aftari.
According to APP survey, all the fashionable shopping boutiques are offering different types of short shirts of lawn and cotton prints and cosmetics items that was not seen in the past, attracting a large number of customers.
Great rush were seen at CT Tower, Shafi Market, Qassia Khwani Bazaar and Arbab Road shopping boutiques and malls where shopkeepers are earning great profits.
The arrival of people along with their families and children has increased mainfolds especially after Aftari where shopping activities are continued till late night in the city of flowers.
The shoppers and ladies along with kids coming from nearby districts of Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat and tribal districts of Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Bajaur and Mohmand, are taking keen interest in buying of cotton and lawn readymade garments, henna, cosmetic, artificial ornaments as Eid special offer.
Scores of shopping arcades such as Hayatabad shopping mall, Shafi market, Tippu Sulthan, Peshawar Trade Centre in cantonment, Shaheen Meena Bazaar and Karimpura, Qissa Khwani bazaars in the city and CT Tower on the University road are stuffed with variety of clothes, lawn and cotton prints to cater people’s pressing demands.
Fashion designers in Jahingirabad, Shafi Market, Cantonment and Hayatabad said the girls and ladies aged 18 to 25 are taking keen interest in shirt kamiz, artificial jewellery, cosmetics and henna on this Eid.
The shopping malls and arcades are flooded with lawn and cotton prints whereas children garments are also overflowing in the shopping boutiques.
“I bought a stitched lawn suit for eid as it would also be used in the entire summer season” said Miss Meena Gul, a school teacher of Nowshera district.
Due to high charges of tailors, I opt for readymade suit this year as it is less expensive than unstitched suit, she said.
“Definitely, I will come on Chand Raat again with my family to complete my remaining shopping including buying of matching sandals” she said.
However, she complained that prices of stitched lawn and cotton prints are high this year comparing to the previous year that needed to be checked.
The local leather-made Peshawari and Charsadda Chappals are also attracting customers in abundance mostly youth due to its affordable prices, shiness and durability.“Peshawari Chappal is my favorite shoe because of its durability and leather quality,” Khayam Khan, 25, a shopper from Nowshera district told APP while busy in shopping at Qasia Khwani bazaar.
“Since my childhood, I am using Peshawari and Carsadda chappals because of it’s high quality of leather, shiness and eye catching designs.”
He said five sets of Peshawari and Carsadda Chappals have been purchased by me for relatives and friends upon their demands.
“Charsadda Chappal is my favorite shoe. I bought three sets for my brothers living in UAE,” said Gulzar Khan, a shopper of Nowshera at Jahingeerpura, a hub of Peshawari and Carsadda Chappals.
He said it was liked not only in all provinces of Pakistan but also in Gulf countries including UAE and Saudi Arabia.
“ For Eid shopping, I often visit Dubai on invitation of my brothers and sons and this year I refused to go abroad as all my choice articles are available in Peshawar,” he said.
“These Chappals have made deep inroads in Pakhtoon society and are being used in weeding and engagement ceremonies as well,” he said.
These famous Chappals have outclassed foreign made footwear in local markets and artisans are making great profits these days.
“ I have received 2000 orders of Peshawari and Charsadda Chappal ahead of Eid and completed it after engaging additional skilled labour besides working till Sehri time,” Khan Chacha a shoemaker of Peshawar said.
He said these Chappals pass through six different stages before tready to wear.
To a question, he said its prices has increased beacause of hiking in leather and labour cost.
The Peshawari girls also thronged to henna stalls on Sunday to decorate their hands and buy for their families members and relatives.
Great rush were seen in henna stalls setup at Dean’s Trade Center especially for Eidul Fitre.
“ I came from Pabbi to decorate my hands with henna from an expert to avoid rush on Chand Raat” Sumbul, 25, told APP.
“My Eid seems incomplete without decorating my hands by henna with different fascinating designs” she said adding vendors shopkeepers also came out in large number by earning two times high this year.
The shoppers have complained about high prices, traffic jam and lack of car parking in shopping malls and urged for its solutions.
“ I have broken my fast the other day on road as I was trapped in traffic jam for one hour in Peshawar saddar,” Ejaz Khan, a resident of Peshawar said.
The people have to parked vehicles in one kilometer distance of shopping areas mostly on roadside and have to pay fine in case cars were lifted by traffic police, he said.
He suggested proper car parking facilities at shopping malls by making it mandatory before issuing of no objection certificates.
Like, these buyers, a large number of people are coming to Peshawar for Eid shopping after significant improvement of law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where great economic activities are expected this year on Eid.
