Fida Hussnain
As the holy month of Ramadan is being observed with its cherished traditions of Sehri and Iftar, both the public and the shopkeepers are grappling with the daunting shadow of inflation.
Amidst the spiritual preparations for Eid, the economic challenges loom large which have cast a pall over the festivities.
Shopkeepers, typically bustling with activity during Ramadan as they cater to the surge in demand for Eid essentials, now find themselves amidst desolate marketplaces.
The usual fervor for Eid preparations seems subdued, dampened by the prevailing economic strain.
Across the nation, from the vibrant streets of Lahore to the bustling markets of other cities, the narrative of inflation echoes loudly.
While some may hear murmurs of a slight alleviation of inflation in the capital, the reality persists that prices remain unbridled throughout the rest of the country.
“I don’t know how I run my daily expenses at home. Literally, it’s quite tough this time,” said Muhammad Sharif, a resident of Fazlia Colony. Sharif says he runs a small shop of artificial jewelry at Ishra Bazaar.
The shopkeeper says that there are many challenges this time as compared to the past years.
“The women visit my shop, and most of them just ask about the prices and move on,” said Sharif. He said that looking after the business at the shop and managing the basic needs at home had become a challenge.
Another man who runs a milk shop in the same Fazlia area was of the view that the customers who used to buy both milk and yogurt were now choosing only milk over yogurt to feed their children and to meet other needs at home.
“Yoghurt sales drastically declined with the passage of time. The prices are also the main factors,” he explained. The women who eagerly await the arrival of Chand Raat to buy new things for Eid are also not very optimistic this time about their shopping and celebrations.
“Make-up prices have already gone up,” said Zari Khan, a resident of the Samanabad area. She was visiting Ishra bazaar to buy new clothes. She said she visited different shops and came to know that the prices of the clothes were out of reach. She questioned how shopping for Eid could be affordable when the people were already in trouble due to inflated gas and electricity bills.
“I came to Ishra Bazaar with the hope that the things would be affordable here. But no chance,” she said, wearing a sad smile on her face. The shoes, clothes and makeup were now out of the reach, she added.
