With just a few days left to bid adieu to 2017, people around the World including in Pakistan are prepping for New Year Celebrations; however as the demand touches sky, bootleggers have increased the prices of liquor while Farm Houses in all major Cities have also already been booked.
Sources said that since various beverages such as liquor, whisky, Chivas Regal, Black Label, vodka, wine and alcohol are illegal in Pakistan and eventually are sold in Black Market; their shortage and high-handedness of bootleggers have almost ruined drinkers’ plans to Celebrate New Year’s Eve.
The prices of all such beverages have now shot up by nearly 30 percent as if a bottle of liquor is normally sold for Rs 5,000 in Islamabad, now it is being sold for Rs 7,000, sources said. They said that bootleggers are now demanding the prices of beverages of their own choice, and since there is no regulatory authority, people especially party organizers are forced to pay heavy prices or arrange some alternatives.
Sources said that each year the total sale volume of alcoholic drinks in Black Market in last week of December is approximately Rs 1.5 billion if only Major Cities including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi are taken into account.
Likewise as New Year’s Eve is approaching fast, massive surge has also been witnessed in booking of hotels and farm houses in Lahore and Islamabad. But again, according to sources, if a farm house is usually booked for Rs 300,000, now its rate is Rs 500,000 in both the Cities.
Similarly, special dance parties are being planned on New Year’s Eve in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wherein especially in Peshawar and Mardan, the demand of transgenders have soared.
The people with huge amount in the bank accounts prefer to Celebrate New Year’s Eve abroad to enjoy spectacular fireworks, luxurious cruise trips, Live Music Concerts, Parties at Night Clubs or Casino Resorts, or some other eventful spots. Therefore, as per reports, flights for Dubai and Thailand have already been booked as well.
However New Year Celebrations in Pakistan are also nothing short of full-fledged entertainment as multiple offers are being made by luxurious hotels, tour operators, or some local organizers for the people to enjoy the festivity.
