Printers churn out Afghan posters

The printing presses in Peshawar's Mohalla Jangi have been operating at full tilt lately, churning out campaign posters for Afghan presidential hopefuls.

The restive Pakistani town is near the border with Afghanistan. And everyday, campaign staff come across the border with orders for colorful posters, leaflets and buttons of their candidates.

(SOUNDBITE)(Pashto) ELECTION STAFF, AZIZUR REHMAN, SAYING:

"Over there, it is difficult to get printing material, which is a big problem. Also, prices are higher there. For example, if a job is done here for five rupees, it costs ten rupees there. The printing machines here are better, whereas the machines there are quite useless. There are also problems of skilled workers and electricity,"

Printing press owners say, although they have received contracts from candidates ahead of the April 5 polls, the orders are not as big as they used to be in previous elections.

(SOUNDBITE) (Pastho) PRINTING PRESS OWNER MUKAMMIL SH