Eid-ul-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and abstain from food, drink, and vices like gossip and lying. It is a period of self-reflection and a reminder to be charitable to the less fortunate.
Observed first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, Eid-ul-Fitr is a time for Muslims to come together with family and friends to offer prayers, exchange gifts, and share meals. It is also a way for Muslims to show their gratitude to Allah for giving them the strength to fast and to seek forgiveness for any sins committed during the year.
However, in Pakistan, small shops and businesses are struggling to make ends meet during this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. The high levels of inflation, which have hit their highest levels in decades, have left many businesses unable to make enough money to cover their monthly expenses, including rent and utility bills.
For many small shops and businesses in Pakistan, the last days of Ramadan or before Eid-ul-Fitr used to be a guaranteed earner—a big-spending week that could match the take from the rest of the year. However, this year, many worry they will not even make enough to pay for their monthly expenses.
A tailor in Canal Bank, Lahore, stated that each year, he was fully booked and had so many orders that he couldn’t take orders after the middle of the month of Ramzan. However, this year, he said, “For the first time, we are accepting orders in the last week of Ramzan as there is not much work.”
Tailors in Lahore who used to charge Rs1,500 are now charging Rs2,500 or Rs2,200. Even well-known brands or shops are charging more, which is leaving consumers with no option but to go for cheap ready-made clothes or clothes that are available on sale.
The South Asian country of more than 220 million people saw year-on-year inflation hit 35.4 per cent in March. Food prices surged more than 47 per cent in 12 months, with transport costs rising by 55 per cent.
Pakistan is deeply in debt and needs to introduce tough reforms to unlock a tranche of a $6.5 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in order to avoid default. The economy has been wrecked by years of financial mismanagement and political instability—a situation exacerbated by a global energy crisis and devastating floods that left a third of the country under water last year.
An artificial jewelry shop owner in Anarkali, Lahore, Zaryab, said, “There is a significant difference between last year’s sales and this year’s. People come to our stall, see 3-4 necklaces or bangles, ask the price, and then leave.”
The high inflation has significantly reduced the purchasing power of Pakistanis, and people are mostly focusing on fulfilling their essential needs. Noman Khan, an electrical engineer at ACE Pakistan, stated that this Eid, he has not been able to buy clothes for himself as he had to buy clothes for his two kids and wife. He added that “From artificial jewelry to kids’ clothes, everything is so expensive this year that I have no option but to wear old clothes. Although, I made sure that my kids and wife at least get what they want to wear this Eid.”
In conclusion, the struggle for small businesses in Pakistan during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations is a stark reminder of the country’s economic challenges. While many Pakistanis are still managing to celebrate the holiday, the high levels of inflation have made it difficult for many to enjoy the festivities.
