Rawalpindi-The shopping in the markets of the city for Eid-ul-fitr reached its peak on Sunday and the traders in the city markets were happy with a large turnout of the customers.
A festive environment was noticed at the busy shopping centers including Tench Bhatta, Saddar, Lalkurti, Moti Bazar, Commercial Market and several other markets of the town.
The shopkeepers and their helpers were busy till late night in managing the customers, showing them the goods and bargaining with them. The families were seen to throng the markets to pick up their choices for Eid on Saturday and Sunday.
The shopkeepers of different malls and other markets said that their business on Saturday and Sunday was better than other days of this Ramazan. Varieties of goods, including foreign brands, particularly Chinese, are found in abundance. The shops are flooded with garments for men, women and children, with the latest designs, particularly for children.
The rush of the customers at the shopping centers nowadays starts from evening and continue till closing of the shops before sehri.
The illuminated stalls across the city are offering a huge variety of colourful bangles that includes the glittering ones, accessories including necklace, rings, anklets and earrings and a variety of mehndi brands claiming to give darkest shades.
Even in the mid of the holy month, some tailors had stopped taking orders that was creating hassle for the customers and forcing them to buy readymade material. A tailor Aslam said that he along with his assistants were working 20 hours, seven days a week to complete all the orders before the end of Ramazan. Waqar, a student informed that his family start shopping at the eleventh hour since the festivity reach at its peak at the end of Ramadan. He said nothing could stop people from shopping for Eid, not even the ever increasing prices.
Meanwhile, the police claimed to have made foolproof security arrangements for the protection of the people at various shopping centers, markets and public places. To ensure security of the females, lady police have also been deployed in various busy shopping malls at Saddar Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Commercial Market, Lalkurti and other busy markets of the city.
According to police security plan, Law enforcers have been deployed in plain clothes at various sensitive areas and close circuit cameras are working in different busy bazaars, parks and other public places. City Traffic Police has also finalized a traffic plan to avoid traffic mess and other problems on roads due to great rush of people in markets and bazaars.
Meanwhile, trade bodies of the city demanded of the district government to increase security around all markets areas as Eid shopping is gaining momentum with each passing day.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the security arrangements made for shopping areas, they said that the deployment of police personnel is insufficient as compared to great hustle and bustle of visitors there.
President Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran Sharjeel Mir said that there should be policemen in plain clothes present at vulnerable areas and ready to converge on a single whistle in case of an emergency. Besides, he said there are a large number of beggars, who apparently seek alms but are also involved in criminal activities like pick-pocketing and snatching different items from the people visiting the markets.
President Moti Bazar Chaudhry Iqbal also asked the quarters concerned to beef up security of markets, especially during night time.
When contacted, City Police Officer (CPO) spokesman assured that foolproof security arrangements were being made to give a special cover to shopping areas so that customers as well as traders could feel a sense of security.