Peshawar
Following introduction of information technology, the ancient tradition to send Eid cards to relatives and dear ones on joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr had been significantly declined in Peshawar where majority of people were sending SMS and E Cards for greetings.
Due to a boom in IT sec tor in Pakistan, most of people were now sending greeting SMS and E cards to their loved ones to convey their best wishes and greetings on Eid.
With the introduction of cheap communication means and excessive use of social media such as SMS, E Cards, WhatsApp and Fscebook messages, the business of traditional Eid cards has affected in the lucrative market of Peshawar where people were preferring to greet their loved one by sending a simple SMS on Eid day and Chand Raat.
The Eid card sellers in the past had arranged many stalls at different areas of Peshawar including Hastnagri, Karimpura, Goara Bazar, Liaquat Bazaar and Qissa Khawani Bazaar to attract customers.
However, with the introduction of IT technology, people prefer shortcut method of sending their wishes and greetings through E-cards, SMS and Whatsapp messages instead of sending traditional Eid cards throught post offices and courier services as they consider it expensive, outdated and time consuming exercise. Khurshid Khan, a Government employee who was busy in shopping in Liauqat Bazaar told APP that he do not have much time to go to shop and buy old fashioned eid cards and then send it to friends and relatives through couriers services. “For the last five years, I select a nice SMS from internet and send it to my friends and relatives to congratulate them on Eid day,” he maintained.
He said prayers for someone was most important than sending Eid cards,” adding that money spend on Eid cards can be donated to poor people and labourers affected by coronavirus lockdown to include them in joy of Eid celebrations. The book sellers and gift showers owners at Liauqat Bazaar said the trend of buy eid cards has significantly declined due to boom in IT sector, SMS, 3 and 4 G, WhatsApp services in Peshawar.
They said majority of shopkeepers associated with decades old Eid Cards business have said good bye to it.—APP
