Source: Dawn

By Beenisch Kanaria

TUCKED away in Sector F-6, surrounded by a serene residential setting, beside a snug children’s park, lays a small yet very distinct market. Reminiscent of a European high street, this market is one of Islamabad’s dearest and oldest shopping vicinity.This little slice of Europe is Kohsar Market.Kohsar Market has always been immaculately clean. Clean of all rubbish on the ground and clean of all beggar’s and offices. Guilt-free shopping means that Kohsar is completely dedicated to hassle free shopping experience.

Expats are told to shop at Kohsar market. Almost everything is available here. From exotic farm fresh vegetables to sirloin steak cuts, fresh breads, salads and deserts. For any foreign menu a trip to Kohsar is a prerequisite. The shop owners seem to have taken great care of their products. They have managed to build up their reputations to the extent that customers blindly trust their products.

Their products are always fresh, lined in the right aisles and consistently available. This is the reputation that Kohsar holds.

And it could be under threat. The sweet tranquillity and the intellectual Parisian cafe theme is threatened with the addition of commercial shops. If Kohsar Market doesn’t recognise its true identity, it will only be a matter of time till it resembles any other shopping area in Islamabad.

The last few months have witnessed a number of developments. Previously the market has only been a place dedicated to a few basic household supplies. Vegetables, fruit, meat and kitchen utensils were the main commodities.

Recently there has been a new addition of shops on the upper storey. Some of these shops belong to the non-profit organisations, there is no denying their originality and, welcoming positive addition.

Similarly, the authorities have placed a large cage showcasing a number of exotic birds. Delighted by their unique natural beauty, adults and children appreciating these birds.

But there are some negative developments that could tarnish Kohsar’s charm. Not only did Kohsar sell food items, but it was the proud owner of the first largest bookstore in Islamabad. Making this bookstore even more special was the cafe upstairs. Unfortunately, the large bookstore has been reduced to less than half of its original size. Thankfully the cafe remains, but the bookstore has been reduced for more shop space. It was a space the authorities should have kept, now the charm of the store is being lost to other larger stores.

Instead, now Kohsar is expanding all the grocery stores.

These grocery stores are renovating and expanding into two stories. The sweet comfortable charm is being replaced by profit- driven commercialism.

Kohsar has always been the market in which people stroll through the stores, grab a bit, rummage through the books. These days, there are a plenty more stores which provide imported products, for even less of a price. But Kohsar market has only been popular because of it’s bookstore and quiet charm.

Therefore, it’s Parisian cafe theme is one that should be recognised by the authorities. There are plenty of grocery stores in Islamabad. There is really no need to repeat and expand upon another replica of those stores. One never really knows the name of any of these stores since they are all bearing the same sponsored colours. The previously inviting environment is a standard that every citizen has the right to expect, a standard that all other shopping areas should learn from rather than it’s opposite.

It is so sad to see commercialism sweep Kohsar as well. Rather than enhancing the original theme, the authorities are trying very hard to relate it to the commercial Jinnah Super theme concept — heartbreaking.

The writer teaches Sociology and is a freelance journalist.

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