Markets overflow with Eid shoppers

Express Tribune

31-03-2025

Women's shopping centers in Peshawar, including Saddar, University Road, and the walled city markets, saw a significant surge in buyers as women rushed for last-minute Eid shopping on Sunday.
Locals flocked to shops selling shoes, ready-made clothes, artificial jewelry, and cosmetics.
In Jahangir Pura market, countless people were seen buying Peshawari chappals for Eid. Women and girls also thronged mehndi stalls in large numbers.
All major markets in the city experienced overcrowding as people rushed for Eid shopping. Men were primarily buying clothes, shoes, and other essentials, while women were purchasing clothes, bangles, and cosmetics in preparation for the festival.
In Peshawar Saddar, shops were packed, leaving little room to stand. Markets remained open from dawn until sehri throughout Ramadan. Residents from Peshawar's suburbs shopped during the day, while those from the walled city and University Town preferred shopping after iftar.
Parking lots in the markets were filled to capacity, and long queues of cars formed on the main roads. Due to the surge in crowds, shopkeepers doubled their prices, but buyers, in a rush, paid without bargaining.
Meanwhile, tailors stopped taking orders after the 15th of Ramadan, putting up 'Housefull' notices on their shops, forcing many to opt for ready-made garments.
Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as "Sweet Eid," has driven up the demand for traditional sweets, leading to increased crowds at confectionery shops across the city. To celebrate the occasion, people have started preparing cakes and sheer khurma for guests.
In Peshawar and across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, it is a tradition to serve sweets on Eid. The purchase of 'red sweets' begins well before Eid, and as the festival approaches, confectionery shops witness a rush of customers.
People from other areas also travel to Peshawar to buy red sweets. Alongside these, jalebi, cakes, and biscuits are in high demand. Bakeries prepare specially designed cakes for the occasion, adding to the festive spirit.
Meanwhile, the demand for fruits has increased significantly, leading to price hikes without intervention from authorities.
Ahead of Eid, the prices of fruits and vegetables have risen sharply. Local residents told The Express Tribune that tomatoes, which were sold at Rs100 per kilogram two days ago, reached Rs150 per kilogram on Sunday. Similarly, onion prices rose from Rs60 to Rs120 per kilogram in a single day.
Dealers attributed the price hike to supply shortages due to Eid, leading to inflated costs.
On the other hand local residents claimed that the shopkeepers were trying to cash the Eid rush by creating an artificial shortage on the market to mint coins. They asked the government to take strict action against those involved in overpricing.