KARACHI: Sale of cloth during the pre-election period increased by about 1,000 per cent, or millions of rupees, disclosed the Chairman of the All-Pakistan Cloth Merchants Association (PCMA), Abid Chinoy, in reply to a question by Dawn.

He could not quantify the worth of grey cloth sold to candidates contesting the elections, but said it could be in millions.

He said as a result of the massive sale, the rate of cloth had jumped by 15 per cent. The grey cloth is bleached in white for printing parties’ flag colour, further inflating the cost.

He estimated that a small banner could cost the candidate Rs40. Installation charges and rent of the display space means more expenditure. The cost of making and displaying of large banners runs into hundreds of rupees, he added.

Giving reasons for the unprecedented sale of cloth for the election purpose, Chinoy said for fear of suicide bombings and bomb blasts, the candidates are avoiding holding public meetings, and are depending more and more on election war through banners.Streets in the city present a colourful look due to large party flags and banners.

The PCMA chairman said that anticipating good business, many traders in Boulton Market had switched over to trade in cloth.

He further stated that hosiery manufacturers were also doing a lucrative business by making large number of T-shirts bearing pictures of the candidates and party flags, which would be distributed among supporters on the election day. — M.Q.