Скачать или смотреть Shopping splurge in markets ahead of Eid al-Fitr

(15 Jul 2015) LEAD-IN:
Shoppers are filling the markets of Rawalpindi, buying up items like shoes, jewellery and traditional clothes ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
Some retailers say conditions in Pakistan have improved this year and business is much better.

STORY-LINE:
It's almost the end of Ramadan.
For close to a month, the faithful have refrained from eating, drinking, smoking from sunrise to sunset.
The shops are filling up and Pakistanis are getting ready to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, subject to the sighting of the crescent moon.
That means special prayers, family gatherings and in the lead-up, a shopping splurge for women and children.
The demand for new clothes in particular hits a high as entire families flock to shopping centres.
Rawalpindi resident, Imtiaz Ahmed, is looking at jewellery and bangles for her children.
"We are looking for jewellery and bangles, we bought bangles and jewellery set for the children. In fact, Eid is for children," she says.
At one of the city's oldest shopping centres, Moti Bazaar, Eid al-Fitr preparations are in full swing.
Most of the shoppers are women browsing through jewellery.
Nearby, established and upcoming designers and brands unveil their new collections.
But the holiday shopping session is not for everyone.
"This is the first time I am in the bazaar for Eid shopping, the bazaar is crowded," says Hina Jawad.
"Prices are high, I can't decide whether I should buy or not. Fashion has changed, many things become old and there are many new items in the market. I will say prices are high."
In the Al-Janat shopping mall, one shop is full of women looking at dresses for girls.
In another shop, men look at shirts and the traditional clothing called Shalwar Kameez.
"I am here to buy Shalwar Kameez, sandals and a watch for Eid. Tomorrow is a holiday, so I will finish shopping today. My friends are also with me and we are trying to complete shopping today," says Khalid Usman.
The festivities provide a major boost to the economy.
Big and small businesses and service providers expect to see frenzied activity.
Mohammad Sohail owns a shoe store.
"Thanks to Allah, this sales are very satisfactory, because the country's situation is better, the financial position of country is better. The customers' response is better than last year, my sales are almost double than last year," he says.

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