Shopping malls and markets gear up for New Year

Islamabad: To welcome the New Year 2018, city markets of twin cities and shopping malls are all decked up with bright lights to woo the customers in. The celebratory season starts a week before Christmas and lasts up to two days after New Year where the customers indulge in the festive spree and resort to shop. It’s more convenient and relatively new destination for shoppers on New Year and other festivities because of an extra dose of excitement through different events, activities, décor, discount offers sometimes stars and celebrity presence.

Many celebrities give some exclusive time to the fans by giving surprise visits to the malls to promote their new upcoming films. Saira, a visitor, said that we love the food, we love the decoration and we just love buying presents and celebrating long weekends with friends and family. Instead of going to far off places to get our needs we simply walk into these malls to get everything under one roof. Because of the long weekend earlier because of Quaid-e-Azam birthday and Christmas people went for vacations to their hometown while other stayed back to indulge in shopping or just visiting the malls with their family members. Markets in the city and shopping malls are adorned with lights is increasingly becoming mega-destinations for people. The retailers and the brands offer big discounts on New Year and winter sale to attract customers which are anxiously availed by the customers.

Small events and competitions for children are also organised in the malls that attract huge crowd adding to the festivities of the New Year. APP adds: Islamabad police has made an elaborate plan for security on eve of New Year night in the city.

Around 1, 000 policemen would be deployed to ensure fool proof security and keep vigilant eye during celebrations on New Year night. Traffic police will also coordinate with the city police to maintain law and order and control traffic on the occasion, police source said.

He said police contingent would be deployed at important places, shopping centres, main markets for the safety of public on the eve of New Year night. He said that people should behave as civilised citizens and avoid from any irresponsible activity on the occasion. The deployment would be made at Super market, Jinnah Super market, Blue Area, Karachi Company, sectors F-10, F-11, G-10, G-11, Faizabad, Aabpara Market, Shakarparian, IJP road and Express Highway. Police commandos will be also deployed at different places apart from patrolling by DSPs, inspectors and provision of more strength to police stations.