Extraordinary high prices of cloths, readymade garments, food and other essential items as well as fast declining law-and-order situation have compelled majority of people to stay away from markets although only 12 days left in Eid-ul-Fitr. Preparations for the Eid festivities have been spoiled this year by the twin monsters of escalating inflation and violence.
Inflation, the highest ever in Pakistan, has impacted Eid expenditure. "Things are 100 to 150 percent more expensive as compared to last year's," said a shopkeeper. With food inflation even higher, many find their Eid shopping budgets further constrained. "Household expenditure has doubled and tripled in last one year but salaries of the people are the same as before. There's no question of buying new clothes this year said a salaried person.
People generally preferred to stay at home rather going out on shopping fearing kidnapping or becoming victims of firing incidents. No rush was witnessed in city markets to purchase for Eid-ul-Fitr. The families who used to visit markets also return home after only window-shopping as the rates of garments, shows and other items are unaffordable for majority of them.
However, some parents are still trying to buy affordable products particularly garments and shoes only for their children because they could not see displeasure on the innocent faces. For this purpose the low-income people preferred to visit stalls at roadsides and on footpaths because products available on these stalls are less expensive than on the shops.
A member of salaried class said that within the limited salary it was almost difficult for them to meet the needs of daily life but Eid is such an event, once in a year, so they try their best to purchase according to resources. The consumers are blaming the government for such uncontrolled and rapidly increasing price-hike of even daily use commodities. Every day increase in oil, gas, power and other tariffs is the result of price increase of every commodity produced in the country as well as imported.
A consumer held responsible shopkeepers who are selling children's garments in the name of 'Eid Sale'. He said they are fleecing people by fixing fake price-tags on all items in order to show the consumers that they are charging half of the original high prices of their products.
According to shopkeepers the sale registered sharp decline as compared to last year in the sales of the most popular commodities associated with Eid-primarily clothes and shoes, and secondly minor home improvements, furniture, curtain and carpet sales are also reportedly are also very low despite announcement of huge sales.
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