Pakistan depends on Gulf fuel, but supply strains due to the war have driven up prices and forced austerity.
Passengers board a crowded bus as they return to their hometown ahead of Eidul Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramazan, in Lahore on March 19, 2026. PHOTO: AFP
Preparations for the end of Ramazan were in full swing at a beauty salon in Punjab, with customers getting haircuts, eyebrow waxing and henna tattoos.
In Multan’s markets, crowds of women, young and old, bought colorful bracelets, shoes, new clothes, makeup and sweets.
But in Multan and elsewhere in Pakistan, the ripple effects of the US-Israeli war against Iran were being felt.
“It’s very different because inflation has increased so much because of the ongoing war. Every poor person is in distress. It affects them deeply,” said makeup artist Rozina Amjad.
Eve of Eidul Fitr used to be ‘lively’, says Amjad AFPadding: “Now that charm is gone. It’s not like before.”
Pakistan depends on Gulf oil and gas, but since war broke out last month, pressures on fuel supplies have led to rising pump prices and government austerity measures.
Rising oil prices have driven up costs across the board, affecting purchasing power ahead of the festival.
Suriya Muslim, a 35-year-old housewife, said she had already done her shopping and just needed to finish her beauty routine at the salon before preparing to receive guests at her home.
But she feared her family would have to cut back on usual visits to relatives and friends this year.
“Due to the war in Iran, the price hike has greatly affected our budget. All essential items for Eid have become very expensive,” she added.
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“Now our car is parked at home. Given the budget, we cannot take the children out, go shopping, or visit relatives.
“It now seems that gasoline is going to become even more expensive, and in this situation, it seems that Eid will remain limited to our house.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said this week that there would be no military parades or flypasts next Monday, a public holiday in Pakistan, due to the crisis in the Gulf.
Further east of Multan, in Lahore, the great Eid jaunt had begun, with packed trains and travelers piling atop colorfully painted buses.
Public transport fares have also increased, as people travel from major urban centers to their home towns and villages.
In Lahore, Muhammad Ramzan, a 48-year-old laborer, said he had decided not to go to his village.
“I wanted to spend Eid with my children, but they are asking for much more than I can afford,” he said. “Now I don’t even want to go see my children for Eid.
“I’m thinking of just staying here and working again. I don’t have a lot of money in my pocket.”
