RAWALPINDI:
With the holy month of Ramazan expected to begin on Thursday, wholesale markets across the city witnessed an extraordinary influx of families, bringing traffic to a standstill in major commercial centers and bazaars across the city.
Heavy congestion was reported at wholesale grain markets, dates market, spice market, vegetable market and large grocery centers as residents rushed to buy items for sehri and iftar. The most intense crowds were observed in the date and spice markets.
Due to the relatively mild weather this year, demand for juice remained lower than normal. Key commercial arteries – including Trunk Bazaar, Ganjmandi, Raja Bazaar, Banni Spice Market, Nirankari Bazaar, Liaquat Road, Jamia Masjid Road, City Saddar Road, Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, Iqbal Road, College Road, Hamilton Road, Kalan Bazaar, Purana Qila and Dingi Khoi – remained closed for hours. Journeys that normally take two to three minutes stretched to half an hour, while even walking through the markets proved difficult.
Transport fares also rose following the recent hike in oil prices, with taxi drivers, rickshaw operators and motorcycling charging high prices.
In the vegetable market, record purchases were reported for potatoes, onions, tomatoes, paprika, coriander, garlic, ginger and lemons. In the fruit market, prices of all varieties rose by Rs50 to Rs100 per kilogram.
Iftar staples – including dates, gram flour, spices, white chickpeas, red beans and ingredients for dahi bhallay, chaat and fruit chaat – saw significant price hikes.
Traders have doubled prices on several popular items compared to last year. Price control judges have been criticized for failing to curb inflation during the pre-Ramadan wholesale rush.
Wholesale trade in the date market has now ended with the end of the Ramadan date season, and retail sales will continue as normal. This year, regular quality dates are selling at around Rs 550 per kilogram, while premium varieties range between Rs 1,000 and 2,000.
Meanwhile, preparations for the first Taraweeh prayers have been completed in mosques across the city, many of which have been lit up and decorated.
The police have introduced extensive security measures for the Thursday evening prayers. Closed-circuit television cameras have been installed around and inside both large and small mosques, covering entrances and exits.
Two police officers will be deployed at each mosque, while larger congregational mosques will have three security personnel along with officers from the Special Branch. Passage gates and security checks will also be in operation at major mosques.
