Eid shoppers throng to Peshawari Chappal outlets amid easing of lockdown restrictions in KP.

PESHAWAR -- Eid shoppers here Wednesday thronged to Peshawari Chappal outlets to select appropriate ready made shoes for themselves and their family members to wear on Eid.

Following easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by the government, the centuries old Peshawari Chappal homemade footwear tradition of Pakhtoon society, has started attracting customers from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including merged areas ahead of Eidul Fitre celebrations.

Known as city of artisans, Peshawar's Jahangirpura Bazaar near historic Qissakhwani Bazaar, is a main centre of skilled cobblers, making Peshawari Chappal since long, are working till night at homes to meet consumers' demands for Eid.

The consumers of others districts including Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat, Swabi besides adjoining tribal districts including Khyber, Mohmand and Bajaur were seen in substantial number at Jahangirpura these days to select a decent, shiny and unique designs for themselves and family members for Eid festival.

Peshawari Chappal has outclassed foreign made foodwear on this Eid due to its durability, comfortability and affordable price.

Following skyrocketing prices of foreign-made footwear, the salaried, middle class and low income groups are giving preference to buy ready made Peshawari Chappal keeping in view of its durability, attractive designs, affordability and great comfort level.

Keeping in people's overwhelming response, the shoemakers hired extra skillful labourers that are working till late night at homes to meet buyers' orders.

"Like others businesses, Peshawari Chappal business was also hit hard by COVID-19 lockdown", said Ali Khan, a local shoemaker who remained associated with this hard business for past 20 years in Jhangirpura told reporter.

He said shoemakers has suffered great financial loss due to coronavirus pandemic since March last.

"The shoemakers are likely to miss financial targets and people's orders on this Eid due to closure of markets at 4p.m and shutdown of markets from Friday to Sunday," he said, adding that extra labourers were engaged working till late night at homes under SOPs to meet consumers orders for Eid.

"Currently we cannot accept more orders due to shortage of time, power load shedding, fasting, and COVID-19 pandemic 'he said.

Ali Khan said he felt proud of adhering these skills from our forefathers, who associated with this profession over decades of expertise's and craftsmanship.

He said this footwear was exported to South Africa...