LAHORE: Ramazan has traditionally been a month of spirituality, generosity and family togetherness in Pakistan. It also carries a strong social and cultural dimension. For many households, particularly in urban areas, Ramazan is the time when women take charge of extensive household shopping.
Markets light up with special stalls, cloth merchants display festive collections and bazaars remain open late into the night as families prepare for Eid. In most Pakistani homes, women play the central role in organising these preparations. From grocery purchases for iftar and sehri to selecting new clothes for children, arranging bangles, shoes and modest jewellery for girls, the shopping list grows long. Traditionally, this activity has been a source of joy and anticipation, especially for children who eagerly await new dresses and accessories for Eid.
However, the responsibility of financing these preparations generally falls on the male breadwinner of the household. During Ramazan, his financial burden rises sharply. Food consumption increases as do the rates of edibles.
In normal times this seasonal rise in expenditure is manageable for middle-class families. But in recent years the economic environment has made Ramadan shopping increasingly stressful. High inflation, stagnant wages and the weakening purchasing power of the rupee have pushed them to the brink.
This year the situation appears particularly difficult. Global tensions and disruptions in energy markets have kept oil prices high, which in turn raises transportation and production costs. For many families, the simple task of arranging a decent meal for iftar has become a financial challenge.
Items once considered customary Ramazan purchases are increasingly viewed as luxuries. Buying new clothes for every family member, once seen as an integral part of Eid celebrations, is no longer guaranteed in many homes.
Women, who usually take pride in preparing their households for the festive season, are also feeling the pressure. Many now walk through crowded bazaars not with excitement but with careful calculation, comparing prices, reducing quantities, or abandoning purchases altogether.
The economic strain is not limited to clothing and festive items. More worrying is the quiet reshuffling of household priorities. When budgets become extremely tight, families are compelled to cut spending in areas that are essential for long-term well-being.
Healthcare is often the first casualty. Medicines are purchased sparingly or substituted with cheaper alternatives. Over time, such compromises can have serious consequences for family health. Education, too, begins to suffer. School fees, books, and tutoring costs become difficult to manage when food and utility bills consume most of the household income. Among poorer families, some parents even begin to question whether continuing their children’s education is financially feasible.
Ramazan is also known for its strong tradition of charity. The giving of zakat and other forms of alms is meant to ensure that the less fortunate can share in the blessings of the month. In normal years, generous donations from individuals and organizations provide critical support to millions of low-income families. Yet even this pillar of social solidarity appears to be weakening. While charitable activity continues, many observers note that the number of donors has declined compared with previous years. Rising living costs are affecting potential donors as well, leaving them with less disposable income for philanthropy.
This trend is troubling because the need for assistance has never been greater. Food insecurity and unemployment have expanded the ranks of those seeking help. Charitable kitchens, distribution camps, and welfare organizations report longer queues and growing demand.
Despite these challenges, Ramazan continues to offer lessons of empathy and resilience. The month reminds society of the importance of compassion toward those facing hardship. It also highlights the need for policies that address rising living costs and protect vulnerable households from economic shocks.
For Pakistan’s families, the hope is that the spirit of Ramazan, moderation, generosity and solidarity, will help soften the hardships of these difficult times. But, unless economic pressures ease and incomes begin to recover, even the modest traditions that once defined Ramazan for millions may continue to slip out of reach.
