- Title: Pakistan markets bustle with shoppers for Eid final preparations
- Date: 28th March 2025
- Summary: KARACHI, PAKISTAN (MARCH 28, 2025) (REUTERS) PEOPLE INSIDE SHOPPING MALL WOMEN BROWSING THROUGH CLOTHES CLOTHES DISPLAYED ON MANNEQUINS PEOPLE SITTING AT FOOD COURT KARACHI, PAKISTAN (MARCH 28, 2025) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) MARKET BUSTLING WITH CUSTOMERS VARIOUS OF WOMEN BROWSING AT FOOTWEAR STALL SANDALS ON DISPLAY WOMEN LOOKING THROUGH SANDALS WOMAN TRYING ON A SANDAL PE
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: PAKISTAN MARKETS BUSTLE SHOPPER FINAL PREPARATIONS EID
- Location: KARACHI AND LAHORE, PAKISTAN
- City: KARACHI AND LAHORE, PAKISTAN
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001256628032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Pakistani Muslims on Friday (March 28) crowded the night markets soon after ‘iftar’ (breaking of fast at sunset) in the final week of Ramadan as they geared up in preparation for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.
Markets in the biggest city Karachi and the second largest city Lahore were bustling with activity as the holy month of Ramadan neared the end ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid.
For Pakistan the festival will fall on either Monday (March 31) or Tuesday (April 1), depending on the sighting of the moon.
Shoppers browsed through glittery sandals, bangles, and new clothes hoping to find special items for the festival.
“Shopping is really an enjoyment in last days (of Ramadan). The bazar is very lively during the last days of Ramadan, which is fun to watch,” said housewife Subia Arshad in Karachi.
Although inflation has eased recently, some shoppers complained of price increases compared to regular days.
Prices generally rise in Ramadan and ahead of Eid in Pakistan.
“Items that cost 600 (2.14 U.S dollars), 700 rupees (2.50 U.S dollars) normally, they are selling it for two thousand rupees (7.14 U.S dollar),” said housewife Mrs. Irfan in Lahore.
Pakistan's annual inflation rate slowed to 1.5% in February, the lowest in nearly a decade and below the finance ministry's estimates, according to early March data from the statistics bureau.
Inflation has cooled significantly, easing from 23.1% in February 2024.
The South Asian country, currently bolstered by a $7 billion facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) granted in September, is navigating an economic recovery.
Pakistan government has announced Eid al-Fitr holidays from Monday (March 31) to Wednesday (April 2).
(Production: Waseem Sattar, Naeem Abbas and Shahabuddin Shahab) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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