ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (APP): The steady move towards online shopping in the federal capital, which gained pace after the Covid pandemic, has become even more pronounced ahead of Eid ul Fitr, a time when shopping becomes unavoidable for nearly every household.
With long fasting hours, daily prayers, Quran recitation and work commitments filling the Ramazan schedule, residents across Islamabad are increasingly opting for digital marketplaces to manage Eid preparations with ease.
Urban observers say the trend reflects changing priorities during the holy month.
Visiting crowded bazaars after a full day of fasting is physically demanding, while online shopping allows people to place orders late at night after iftar or sehri, without disrupting religious routines.
Reduced travel has also meant savings in fuel, time and energy, making digital shopping attractive for all genders and age groups.
Those who have embraced online shopping describe it as a practical solution rather than a luxury.
A middle aged office worker Adnan Ali from Sector I-8 told APP that balancing work and worship leaves little room for long market visits. “After fasting all day, going shop to shop is exhausting. Online shopping helps us focus on ibadat while still preparing for Eid,” he said.
For many shoppers, digital platforms have also solved the problem of limited availability.
Nazia, a resident of G-13, told APP that she recently ordered a mobile phone cover online after failing to find it in physical markets. “When I received the parcel, I was surprised to see that the seller’s address was from a mobile shop in G-9 Markaz,” she said. “I had searched for this cover everywhere but couldn’t find it. Online shopping saved me from roaming market to market and brought the exact item to my doorstep.”
As demand grows, more people are also stepping into the role of online sellers.
Women, in particular, are opening small digital stores from their homes, selling stitched clothes, accessories, perfumes and gift items through social media and messaging apps.
Irum ,a working professional told APP she runs online businesses after office hours to supplement household income and cope with rising living expenses, especially during the Eid season.
Traditional traders, too, are adapting to the shift. Shopkeepers in markets and shopping malls say many physical stores now operate parallel online pages.
Customers visiting shops are encouraged to follow digital catalogues and place orders online if a size, colour or design is unavailable. “In a way, we now have two shops ,one physical and one online,” Ali Hamza,a retailer from f10 markaz explained to APP, adding that home delivery has helped retain customers who no longer wish to visit crowded markets.
However, the transition has not been without consequences. Shakir, a cart driver at Itwar Bazaar, told APP that Ramazan has significantly reduced earnings for daily wage workers. “Our income during Ramazan has dropped to less than half compared to normal days,” he said. “People come less, buy quickly and leave.”
Despite these challenges, courier and delivery workers report record activity ahead of Eid, with extended hours to ensure parcels reach customers before Chand Raat.
Shoppers, meanwhile, say they have learned from past delays and now place orders earlier in Ramazan, relying on familiar sellers to avoid last minute disappointment.
As Eid approaches, the capital’s evolving shopping culture highlights a broader transformation. What was once a hectic ritual of traffic jams and crowded bazaars is increasingly being replaced by screens and doorstep deliveries, allowing residents to save time, fuel and energy, while quietly reshaping how a shared festive obligation is fulfilled in a modern urban setting.