LAHORE: As Eid ul Fitr festivities concluded, markets across Pakistan witnessed peak commercial activity, capping weeks of heightened economic momentum driven by festive spending.
Eid ul Fitr, one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar, marked the conclusion of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer and reflection. The festival began with special congregational prayers, followed by family gatherings, exchange of gifts, charitable giving and shared meals, as Muslims celebrated both spiritual renewal and community.
On the eve of Eid, commercial centers across the country, especially in the eastern city of Lahore, remained crowded late into the night as last-minute shoppers finalized purchases ranging from clothing and footwear to jewelry and mehndi.
At Liberty Market, the rush intensified as families completed their Eid preparations.
“I was shopping for jewelry and clothes, and I also planned to get mehndi done,” said Sidra, a shopper speaking to Pakistan TV Digital. “My total budget was around Rs30,000 [$107] to Rs40,000 [$143].”
Retailers reported an exceptional season, with strong consumer turnout translating into significant gains. Muhammad Tayyab, a shopkeeper, described the surge in business as unprecedented in recent years.
“Sales increased by around 70% to 80% compared to previous years,” he said. “In the past seven years, business had not been this strong. This Eid season brought a very positive change for retailers.”
The spike in commercial activity reflected broader seasonal financial trends. The State Bank of Pakistan reported that currency in circulation rose by approximately Rs1.5 trillion ($5.38 billion) in FY25, with a marked increase during Ramadan and Eid due to heightened consumer spending.
In addition, around Rs27 billion ($96.8 million) in fresh currency notes were issued ahead of Eid last year, helping facilitate transactions during the peak shopping period.
Fresh notes are preferred for the tradition of Eidi, where elders give cash gifts to children and younger family members. Crisp currency symbolizes festivity and generosity, making it ideal for gifting during Eid.
Economic experts pointed to further inflows boosting purchasing power.
“Zakat and Fitrana, estimated at Rs50 billion [$179.2 million] to Rs70 billion [$251 million] this year, circulated among lower-income groups,” said Waqas Ghani, Head of Research at JS Global. “Remittances also typically increased by 15% to 30% during this period, further fueling spending across markets.”
As the country marked Eid, the convergence of spiritual celebration and economic activity highlighted the festival’s dual significance, strengthening both social bonds and commercial vitality nationwide.
.jpg)
.webp)
.jpg)