Daily Times

KHYBER AGENCY: With the start of the last ten days of Ramazan, the tribesmen have started finalising their shopping to celebrate Eid with religious zeal and fervor and crowds can be seen in the main bazaar from dawn to dusk.

Tribal people flanked by their children can be seen in shops of readymade clothes, hosiery, shoes and cosmetics. Shopkeepers have decorated their stalls to attract costumers.

Although the weather is hot but buyers prefer to visit shops during the daytime as the bazaar remains closed in the evening due to security reasons.

Kashef Khan, a local shopkeeper, deals in children’s clothes, hosiery and in traditional caps in Landikotal bazaar said, in the current season prices of ready-made clothes have been raised by the whole sale dealers in Peshawar and other parts of the country while 2%-5% price hike has been noticed in hosiery and other related products.

Hassan Ali, a resident of Shiekh Khel, while buying shoes for his two kids at a shoe store, said, slight price hike has been made in the products, he added comparatively, prices of shoes in the local market are much more less than in Peshawar.

Fatihullah Shinwari, a shoe seller in the bazaar said, as compared to the last years, the locals are least interested in Eid shopping. Unemployment in Fata has reduced the buying power of the local consumer that has affected the overall situation of the bazaar, he opined. Regarding prices of foot wears Shinwari said, approximately Rs 100-150 per pair price has increased in children and adult shoes although quality of the commodity has improved.

Anjuman-e-Tajeran President, Landikotal bazaar, Lal Rahim Shinwari, said, traders and shopkeepers have been directed to strictly follow the price list, has been issued by the administration and the violators will be dealt accordingly. However, he regretted unstable economic situation of the country and day by day change in prices of daily use commodities from the wholesaler’s in Peshawar and other parts of the country have compelled them to raise their prices.

It is important to state that this year, the local political administration with support of the shopkeepers union have initiated an effective checking mechanism during the month of Ramazan and have curtained unfair activities of hoarders and price hikers to fleece the faithful in the holy month.