Night effect on markets during Ramazan

Rawalpindi

Pindiites are fasting and shopping during Ramazan. The areas where bazaars are located remain jam packed with people catering to the shopping passion of Pindiites. Commercial Market, Satellite Town, has a special significance during Ramazan for the people of surrounding areas.

“There is a special night effect on the bazaars during Ramazan as they remain open till late night to cater to the shopping passion of Pindiites in the night. Most of the salesmen smile and welcome you to try their stuff ranging from bangles to attar, caps, artificial jewellery, and street food. Just be careful with your jewellery and pockets as there could be pickpockets around like any crowded market anywhere in the world,” says Maleeha Hussain at Commercial Market, Satellite Town.

“I was to meet my friends who had invited me to join them at Raja Bazaar area near Fawara Chowk for shopping, to buy things like dresses, fruits, foodstuff including green tea, but for the reason that throughout my way up to the destination there was huge rush of Eid shoppers so I had to quit my bike and decided to walk all the way to Moti Bazaar, Paris Bazaar, Neelam Bazaar, Bara Bazaar, Fruit and Vegetable Bazaar called Mandi,” says Rahat Ali from Iqbal Road.

“The girls and their moms are seen purchasing bangles from the city-famous Moti Bazaar and they bought enough to gift them away to their relatives as bangles are almost half the prize from anywhere else in the city. There were bangles in every colour, size, and design,” adds Rahat.

“Women are just seen enjoying being lost in the sea of humanity that has been coming to various lanes of Raja Bazaar during Ramazan for buying essential kitchen items, for whom coming to market during Ramazan comes naturally,” says Zainab Zafar.

“The shopkeepers and street vendors were calling at the top of their voice: “Baji/Bhai, have a look, no price for looking” knowing very well that once somebody looks at the glittering bangles or smelled the perfume, it is impossible to keep money in pocket. So quickly money exchanged hands and my back pack started becoming heavier with every shop we visited,” says Zafar Abbas shopping along with his wife and four kids.

“While the city is famous for ‘haleem, nali nahaari, sri payay’ during Ramazan, this did not stop ‘samosa, pakora and roll’ stalls from doing brisk business. There are ‘dayhi bhallay’ and ‘fruit chaat’ stalls as well.  The Ramazan markets have enough to spoil your taste buds,” says Raheela Ali at Moti Bazaar.

“I have never experienced Rawalpindi city like this before, the whole marketplaces from PWD Housing Society to Faizabad, in addition to Saddar, Murree Road, Sadiqabad, Eidgah Road, Jamia Masjid Road, Sarafa Bazaar, Purana Qila, Saidpur Road, Tench Bhatta are illuminated,” says Farman Ali, a college lecturer from Gilgit.

“At Saddar, the charm of the market was so that I could barely cover half the distance; as we were stopping at every shop, kiosk checking the goods on offer. Resultantly the kids got tired and we had to call it a night with market just warming up,” recounts Nageen Fatima, a visitor to that area.

“For me fasting and shopping is the true essence of the fusion culture of Ramazan and the approaching Eid, living and celebrating our Islamic heritage. I think this is what makes the ‘attar’ sold in miniature bottles and ‘namaz’ caps so special,” says Akhlaq Hussain.