Sale of Pak items takes a hit at global trade expo

Ajay Joshi
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, February 18

In the aftermath of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which more than 40 CRPF personnel were martyred, residents refused to purchase Pakistani items at the five-day international trade expo, ‘The Delhi Bazaar’, which concluded at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall here today.

In the past few days, several city youths under the banner of various organisations and educational institutions launched protest marches against the attack. Traders selling items made in Pakistan said: “Response from customers was not good this time.”

The spokesperson for the organising committee said the sale at such stalls was minimal.

Pallawi, a resident of Model Town, while crossing a stall selling Pakistani garments said: “Though these dresses had nothing to do with the terror attack, anything that belongs to our enemy nation would not be accepted by us at any cost.”

She said she likes Pakistani dresses but after hearing that Pakistan had a connection with the brutal killing of the CRPF personnel, it generated anger against that country.

A Jalandhar-based designer, who had put up her creations having Pakistani designs and fibres, said though people liked her designs, they preferred Indian items.

Response not as expected, say traders

Two Delhi-based traders who had come to sell Pakistani ladies suits and garments said the response that they got at the expo was not as expected. Osama, one of the traders, said the five-day sale was not good as they were taking back more than half of the items with them.

A group of college students said: “The Indian film industry had set an example for us after banning Pakistani actors from working in the industry. Hence, why should we contribute in making Pakistan’s economy stronger by spending our money on its products.”

Gurkirat, a student, said: “Ideally, we should not target a country and its people for the atrocious acts committed by a few people. But by discarding anything related to our enemy nation could strongly convey a message that we would never support anything that causes harm to our soldiers and our country.”

Meanwhile, famous Kashmiri garments, Pashmina shawls and carpets also remained unsold at various stalls.

Sayeed, a Kashmiri trader who had been participating in the expo for the past four years, said the demand for the remained limited this year. Asadullah, another trader, said none of his articles were sold in the expo. However, he said the high cost of carpets and shawls might be the reason for the same.