Rawalpindi Faces Inflation Woes as Eid Traditions See Price Surge

As Eid approaches, residents of Rawalpindi struggle with rising prices for floral tributes and cemetery upkeep, compounding economic hardships. Vendors expect high demand despite inflation, and citizens criticize neglected graveyards and increased costs for basic maintenance. Public frustration grows amid civic neglect and unchecked inflation impacting cultural practices.

As the festival of Eid nears, the people of Rawalpindi are grappling with escalating costs for traditional Eid items like flowers, incense sticks, rose water, and grave coverings, essential for cemetery visits. The surge in prices has compounded the public's frustration, already heightened by the economically challenging climate, reports The Express Tribune.

Nevertheless, despite the price hikes, locals persist in purchasing floral petals and ceremonial items to honor deceased relatives, leading to an appearance of temporary stalls and pushcarts around all 55 graveyards in the city, with vendors bracing for high demand. Current market research indicates flower petals now cost up to Rs500 per kilogram, while decorative sheets for graves have climbed to Rs1,400 each.

Rose water bottles and incense sticks have also escalated to around Rs200 each. Residents lament that even basic religious customs are becoming financially burdensome amid rampant inflation. Costs for cemetery labor have similarly risen, with families paying roughly Rs500 for essential maintenance, and growing concerns are voiced over the increasing commercialization of mourning traditions. Criticism is also aimed at local authorities for the poor upkeep of cemeteries, with reports of wild vegetation and obscured graves triggering community ire, as noted in The Express Tribune.