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Jan 3 turns out first

working day of 2000

ISLAMABAD: It was first working day of the year 2000 on Monday. However, the first prime task the people set for themselves was to get salaries.

Many thronged the banks to withdraw their money fearing possible Y2K bug in the computers, but luckily no incident has been reported till the filing of this report.

The year 2000 computer bug was the biggest fear attached with new year, a new century and some people believe a new millennium.

Due to Ramazan people missed a junket at the offices to celebrate the first working day of the new year and the atmosphere remained solemn.

People were mostly preoccupied with Eid preparations, particularly salaried class which has to manage new shoes, clothes and "Eidee" for children on the occasion of Eid.

The Eid festivities season is on many people in Islamabad are also bracing up for the their native towns to celebrate Eid with relatives. Over the year it has also become a very expensive proposition.

The markets and stores also remained jam-packed with shoppers on Monday night. In a city like Islamabad where most of the people belong to salaried class, markets and shops do a roaring business during the first few days of the month and when the Eid is approaching, it turns into a shopping frenzy because everyone wants to get the best in the possible time.ÑAPP