It's the busiest time for Karachi shoppers as Eid approaches

Описание: (4 Jul 2016) LEAD IN:
It's the busiest time for shopkeepers across Karachi, with families shopping for everything they need to celebrate Eid.
As the holy month of Ramadan approaches its end, locals are crowding into the city's shops and markets to search for bargains.

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For Hina Asim, Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the happiest occasions of the year.
The 28-year old, mother-of-two is a devout Muslim and she still likes to indulge at Eid.
But in the city's downtown shopping area, she is finding it difficult to get affordable clothes for her two daughters, Fatima and Sana.
"I have been searching for children's Eid clothes for over two hours but I haven't been able to find good dresses and suits for kids at decent prices. Shopkeepers are also charging us extra because of inflation. We are trying to get all the Eid preparation for the children and family at an affordable cost," said Hina.
Her husband Muhammad Asim is carrying their children who are now exhausted by all the shopping.
According to the salesmen here, the cost of clothes is being pushed up because they are mostly made in China, particularly children's clothes.
Shopkeeper Muhammad Ali says: "We don't have locally manufactured clothes. If we sell Chinese-manufactured clothes, it is going to be expensive. Locally manufactured clothes are cheaper compared to those exported from China, and that attracts customers."
But whatever the reason for the inflation, Eid is an occasion to celebration new things, to meet relatives and visit friends.
And there's a long list of purchases that need to be made, including clothes, shoes, bangles and jewellery.
"For my daughter, there is a checklist – a very, very serious checklist. There has to be a dress; she has to be taken out, shown the festivities, explained… See, it's not just about buying for yourself, your child, your family. It's about telling them why; what the thought, the procedure is. The festivities are there for a reason. So it's about celebration. So yes, it's very important the children should be taught things and also bought new things," says shopper Muzna Ibrahim.
At the women's only shopping and services centre in another part of the city, women are more at ease searching for intimate apparel as well as seeking different services.
The most popular is the application of henna, or mehndi, to decorate women's hands and feet with intricate patterns.
"I am here for application of mehndi (henna). I'm preparing for Eid, so getting a facial, getting bangles, and lots more," says Irsa Khan.
Both young and old come here to prepare for the religious festival.
Salon owner Nadia Hussain says: "Women come for hair work, for henna application. There's like the general services like manicure, pedicure, last minute threading, etc. I mean, women really go all out to prepare for this Eid. A lot of young girls are getting married after Eid, so they have family dinners and social engagements. Overall, it's a very festive occasion."
Hussain herself is busy shopping at one of Karachi's designer clothing stores.
Back downtown, tailors are hard at work, putting in 18-hour shifts to meet the demands of shoppers.
Tailor Muhammad Zakaullah owns his own shop, but he's been forced to close it at the busiest time of the years because of problems with the supply of electricity.
He's now having to work twice as hard for someone else.
As the countdown to Eid continues, the work will get even more hectic for workers like Zakaullah, as shoppers arrive in ever greater numbers to prepare for Eid on Wednesday (6th July).


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