Pakistan, April 10 -- With dampened spirits and forced smiles, Muslims across the country prepare to bid farewell to the month of fasting and welcome what is said to be one of the toughest Eid ul Fitrs in history.

Most attempts to uphold previous traditions and indulge in shopping extravaganzas seem to have failed, according to reports centred around a fast-shrinking Eid economy. While parents still try to prioritise the wishes of their children, market projections sigh that it was all they could manage.

Battered by inflation for months on end with no respite in sight, the middle class had hopped off the "comfortable" train a long while ago. Juggling multiple jobs and cutting down any possible expense meant there was little breathing sp...