The nation is gearing up to celebrate Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day on Wednesday, bringing a significant boost to local businesses and trade in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Inam Ali, a 55-year-old car painter from Nowshera, is witnessing a surge in demand for his services as people rush to decorate their vehicles in green and white, the colors of the national flag. Normally painting 10 to 12 vehicles a day, Ali now handles up to 25 orders daily. Despite challenges like load shedding, Ali has rented a generator, hired additional workers, and extended his working hours late into the night.
Similarly, henna tattoo artists are thriving during the celebrations. Shagufta Bibi, a 55-year-old henna expert in Peshawar Cantonment, has seen a spike in customers, with many choosing patriotic green and white designs. Despite the increased demand, her fee remains at Rs300 per customer. Customers like Sidra Bibi from Wapda Town are enthusiastic about celebrating Independence Day with unique patriotic styles, such as face painting.
The festive spirit has also led to an economic revival for advertisers, graphic designers, and printers in Peshawar. The city is adorned in green and white, thanks to substantial orders for national flags, posters, banners, stickers, badges, and more. The printers in Mohalla Jahangi, a hub of printing and graphic industries near Qissa Khawani bazar, have been inundated with orders from all over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rolling out hundreds of thousands of patriotic items.
Zahid Shah, a vendor at Qissa Khawani bazaar, noted the high demand for Independence Day accessories, including green badges, stickers, and models of iconic buildings from the Pakistan Movement. As Pakistan marks its independence, vendors like Zahid are seeing quick profits, reflecting the nation’s collective pride and enthusiasm.
