KARACHI: In a big change in the city’s political landscape ahead of the general elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has so far overtaken other parties in terms of placing orders for panaflex and fabric-based election-related items, especially at Al-Ka­ram Square, Liaquatabad Market, situated in the stronghold of two Mohajir-dominated parties.

The workload of PTI at various panaflex and flag-printing areas is more visible than other political parties, which is contrary to the situation in 2013 when orders for election-related items from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), now split in various groups, was more dominant than their rivals.

A random visit to various printing outlets of panaflex and flags showed that workers and agents of contesting political leaders in Balochistan and other parts of Sindh have continued giving advanced orders for election-related items.

Disagreeing that the PTI now rules in giving advanced orders for flags, owner of VIP Flags at Hassan Affandi Road, Sheikh Nisar Parchamwala said, “I have received higher orders for flags, buntings, caps etc from the PPP instead of the PTI.

“The second highest order has come from the PTI followed by Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Balochistan National Party (BNP). Orders from various groups of the MQM are negligible,” he claimed.

Popular sizes of flags are two to three feet and three to 4.5 feet in silky satin and plain polyester fabric.

“I have received 100 per cent more orders than the 2013 elections, including orders from Balochistan and interior Sindh.”

In caps and buntings, demand is also higher than the last election but raw material for making caps and buntings are short now.

Orders for cotton T-shirts with photo of political leaders are also pouring in high number. Each T-shirt costs Rs150.

Nisar said the price of cloth, which is made from imported fibre, has risen by 20 per cent due to rupee devaluation against the dollar and rising utility cost, making prices of flags costlier by the same percentage.

Owner of Mushtaq Brothers at Al-Karam Square, Mushtaq Khan said, “The PTI has so far topped in giving business to panaflex and flag printers while the second highest order came from the PPP while the PSP and the MQM-P stand at third place.

“Popular sizes of panaflex banners are 10ftx3ft while the sizes of 3ftx2ft, 4ftx3ft and 6ftx3ft are also in high demand.

Major investments

“People have invested by bringing in new panaflex machines mostly from China costing Rs2.7 to Rs2.8 million per machine,” Mushtaq said adding that some people have purchased old machines.

The panaflex printing cost has risen by eight to 10pc while flag fabric price went up by six to seven per cent compared to last election.

He said orders started arriving about a month ago from political parties in Karachi as well as from contestants in Balochistan and other Sindh districts.

Owner of Decent Printer at Al-Karam Square, Mohammad Dawood Khan said orders from the PTI have risen sharply than the 2013 election while the PPP and the PSP come at second and third places respectively.

He said the price of flag fabric has increased to Rs42 per metre from Rs30 per metre in 2013 election.

Giving a different view, owner of Jawed Art at Al-Karam Square, Junaid Iqbal said panaflex business has so far been down by 50pc due to confusion in the market over ban on display of large-size panaflex.

He said the size of 5ftx3ft was not allowed while 3ftx2ft was allowed.

For poll display, the size of 2ftx3ft was in high demand.

Owner of Raza Media at Al-Karam Square, Syed Azhar said the PTI has so far been more aggressive in giving business leaving behind the PPP and the PSP.

Asif Memon, the owner of Image Printing Service at Tariq Road, said arrival of orders for promotion of election-related items has so far been depressed.

“I have received more orders for small panaflex from the PTI than any other party,” he said.

He said candidates of the PPP have also started bringing their SUVs for vinyl pasting which costs Rs30,000-35,000 per vehicle.

In anticipation of getting big business, some people entered this business a few months back.

Question of payment

Asif said just like previous elections, anxiety prevails in the minds of printers if they could get their payment on time.

“I prefer to get orders from the middleman who at least with his good connection with the political parties can ensure timely payment,” he added.

“Some political parties pay very little advance payment while others do not pay in advance for making panaflex banners or other items,” he said.

However, rupee devaluation has played havoc with price of offset paper arriving from Indonesia.

For example, a ream of offset paper that can make 800 flyers of A5 size now costs Rs3,300 per ream as compared to Rs2,600 per ream six months back. The rupee lost its value against the greenback by 15-16pc in the last six months.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2018