Srinagar, Aug 15: Amid the Eid festivities, Pakistani fabrics in the Valley are witnessing huge demand, though the higher price tag is shooing away some customers.
 According to market observers, sale of Pakistani fabrics has phenomenally increased in the last few days. “The women prefer to buy Pakistani suits and dresses more,” they say.
 “This year we are witnessing extraordinary demand for Pakistani suits and dresses; more and more customers are asking for these fabrics,” said, Muhammad Haroon, President, Saria Bala Traders’ Association.
 “Karachi work suit of ladies, readymade suits and plain cotton suits of Pakistan are being liked by women because of work done on these suits,” he said, adding that men too find the stuff attractive and suitable.
 “Linen type Shalwar Kameez, and plain Kurtas from Pakistan are in great demand among men,” he said.
 According to some customers they purchase the Pakistani dress material “because of its stuff and quality designing which we usually don’t find in the fabric made in India.”
  “Pakistani dresses are unique in the sense that they have good designing, nice blend of color and fabrics and are light to wear in this humid weather,” said Saira, a local resident.

Price factor
 However, the dresses may be good in demand, but the high price tags are keeping many a people away.
 “I was very keen to buy Pakistani designer dress. But after visiting the shops my excitement disappeared due to high price tags which are unaffordable for a common people ,”  said Asrah, a college student.
 “I was looking forward to purchase Pakistani designer dress for Eid, but I was extremely disappointed to see the price tags of all outfits. The range starts from Rs 8000 onwards, I searched all the shops to find cheaper dresses but to no avail. To my surprise plain cotton kurta costs around Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 which is out of reach for me, " Aijaz Lolpuri, a Srinagar denizen said.
 While many have found the designer clothes unaffordable, but according to shop owners, Kashmir’s elite  class which include politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen have  purchased stuff worth lakhs of rupees.
 Pertinently, many Pakistani top brands have also made their way into the local market which includes Junaid Jamshed, Bareeze, Chinyere, Working Woman, Kayseria, Leisure Club, Shahnameh, Urban Culture, etc.
 The shoppers however are upset that Finesse of Tradition (FT), an exhibition-cum-sale of world famed Pakistani attires remained a short-lived event at the Sangarmaal shopping centre.
 “The exhibition was so elite that we had given up our plan of going for shopping to New Delhi. But the exhibition was suddenly closed down,” said a prospective bride.
 At FT leading brands like Bareeze and Junaid Jamshed had offered first ever discount of up to 40 per cent exclusively for people of Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST