Latest news with #Peshawari
Express Tribune
31-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Markets overflow with Eid shoppers
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.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Eid shopping spurs economic activity amid financial woes
As inflation, economic instability, and unemployment weigh heavily on the youth, Eid-ul-Fitr has emerged as a season of temporary economic relief. Across the city's bazaars, markets, public spaces, highways, and neighborhoods, hundreds of makeshift stalls have sprung up, providing short-term employment opportunities to young individuals and various other workers. These stalls offer a range of items, including ready-made clothing for men, women, and children, as well as shoes, slippers, and other accessories. Given the financial constraints of many families, shoppers are prioritizing affordability. Most citizens are budgeting between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 for their Eid shopping, with ready-made shalwar kameez priced at Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 and shoes or slippers costing up to Rs 1,000. As a result, vendors selling budget-friendly clothing and footwear are experiencing high footfall, while those catering to higher-income groups continue to attract customers willing to spend more on premium products. According to Khawaja Jamal Sethi, Patron-in-Chief of the All Karachi Tajir Alliance, the average per capita Eid shopping expenditure for children in low-income families ranges between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000, while adults typically spend Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500. Many families are limiting their purchases to just one pair of shoes or slippers per person. However, a significant number of underprivileged families remain unable to afford Eid shopping, relying instead on the assistance of welfare organizations and philanthropists. Muhammad Shahid, a trader specializing in Peshawari and other traditional slippers at Keamari Masan Chowk, highlighted that rising inflation has led to a 40% decline in footwear sales compared to last year. Shoppers are now opting for budget-friendly slippers, sandals, or shoes priced between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500, a stark contrast to previous years when many customers would purchase multiple pairs. Despite the downturn, middle-class buyers with relatively stable incomes continue to prefer Peshawari slippers, known for their durability and comfort. These handcrafted slippers, available in over 30 designs and 20 colors, have seen a resurgence in demand, particularly for the classic round T-shaped Peshawari slippers, which were popular before 1990. Prices for these slippers range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,500 or more. Haji Farman Gul, owner of Phul Chappal Maker, shared that his family's Keamari-based business has been operating for over 50 years, spanning three generations. He emphasized that Peshawari slippers are still handcrafted, requiring multiple stages of preparation-from taking precise measurements to cutting the leather and assembling the final product. The trade follows the traditional "ustad-shagird" (master-apprentice) model, ensuring the craft is passed down to younger generations. He noted that Eid is the peak season for their business. Artisan Resham Gul further explained that many skilled craftsmen hail from various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). On average, an artisan earns 30% of the total sale price per pair and can produce at least four pairs daily. Some workers operate under contract-based wage systems.
Arab News
25-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
At Punjab prison, inmates earn honest wage making leather shoes ahead of Eid
ISLAMABAD: The provincial government in Pakistan's Punjab province has paid wages to inmates ahead of Eid for crafting handmade 'Norozi chappals,' the home department said on Monday, marking a significant step in prison labor reforms. The prisoners at Punjab's Shahpur prison, trained by experts from the private sector, were paid as part of Punjab's Jail Reforms Agenda for making Norozi chappals, a variation of the traditional Peshawari chappal, that are crafted from full-grain leather and feature a classic toe and cross-over strap design. These chappals often feature a double sole for added comfort and durability. Tauseef Sabeeh Gondal, a Punjab home department spokesperson, said the provincial government is utilizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of private companies to train inmates in various skills and the earnings would allow them to cover personal expenses within prison facilities and support their families outside. 'Around 20 prisoners were trained in the initial phase and they are now earning fair wages. In the open market, laborers typically receive Rs450 ($1.60) per set of 12 pieces of the upper or lower part of the sandal, but under this program, inmates are paid Rs455 per set,' Gondal said. 'Just two days ago, these inmates were paid around Rs10,000 ($35) each for their work.' The Jail Reforms Agenda, which was initiated last year, covers all 44 prisons in the province and has introduced motor mechanics, barbering and information technology (IT) skills development programs, according to the home department. Inmates in Punjab are now engaged in producing goods, including clothing, carpets, furniture, handicrafts, tiles, paper, footballs, perfumes and tissue paper. While eligibility criteria for these training programs vary, initially, prisoners with good conduct were selected. Gondal said although industrial units for carpet, sports goods and manufacturing of some other goods already existed in Punjab prisons, this specific project aimed to ensure vocational training reached all inmates. 'The reforms go beyond industrial training. The government has also introduced educational programs, improved visitation facilities, psychological counseling, and skill development centers to help inmates reintegrate into society,' he shared. Currently, a prison in Faisalabad is operating a full-scale printing press, Kasur prison is manufacturing shoes, and Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore is producing high-quality furniture, according to the official. 'In fact, I have a table in my office that was made by prisoners at Kot Lakhpat,' Gondal added.
Express Tribune
09-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Peshawari Chappal prices rise amid Eid demand
The production of the famous Peshawari Chappal has increased significantly to meet the rising demand for Eid, with prices also climbing daily in Peshawar. Shopkeepers told The Express Tribune that prices are high this year due to the increased cost of raw materials. Chappal production is in full swing in the city's historic Namak Mandi, Jahangirpura and several other areas. Slippers of various designs are being handcrafted in local workshops. These workshops beging producing traditional chappals two months before Ramazan each year to meet demand. While some shoes are custom-made on order, no individual orders are currently being accepted due to the high workload. Despite rising prices, demand remains strong, as Peshawari Chappals are considered a must-have item for Eid, often paired with shalwar kameez. "The raw materials used in the manufacture of chappals, including leather, have become more expensive, leading to a higher final price compared to previous years," said a cobbler. He added that chappals are also exported to neighbouring Afghanistan but due to the closure of the Torkham border, that important market has been lost. He urged the government to take steps to increase trade with Afghanistan, which would help create more jobs locally. In 2024 The Express Tribune reported that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan received a special Eid gift from Peshawar, in the form of traditional Peshawari sandals, creating a stir in the local markets and on social media. Ustad Jahangir, a veteran craftsman from Namak Mandi with four decades of experience under his belt, crafted and sent two pairs of the 'King Sandals' to India, using imported leather. Shah Rukh Khan's family members in Peshawar ordered the bespoke footwear for the actor, who is famously known as King Khan. Former South African cricket captain Hashim Amla, Daren Sammy, and other cricket stars have also shown their fondness for Peshawari sandals. The special sandals were meticulously crafted over a month and sent to the Bollywood hero in India. Social media is abuzz with news of Shah Rukh Khan's Peshawari sandals, and the local market in Peshawar is now witnessing a surge in demand for the "King Chappal". Imran Jahangir, the son of Ustad Jahangir, told The Express that they had previously sent Peshawari sandalsa hallmark of the regionto India for Shah Rukh Khan. This Eid, his relatives living in Qissa Khwani Bazaar reached out to have a special pair made, which has been a feather in the cap for the family, the city, and the country. "It is a matter of pride not only for us but also for our city, province, and country," Jahangir said. He added that since people learned about the sandals made for King Khan, young fans and admirers have been placing similar orders.
