‘Dahi bhallay’— most favourite for iftar

Islamabad

In the holy month of Ramazan, people most favourite item for ‘iftari’ is 'Dahi bhallay' enjoyed by every age group and want to make this item as an important part of their ‘Iftari’.

The sale and demand of ‘Dahi bhallay’ is witnessed increase during the holy month of Ramazan in various cities including Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Despite many restaurants announced special deals and discounts for Iftar, but the people of the city prefer traditional ‘desi food’ local food like 'Dahi bhallay' at the Iftar time.

Every year, fast food companies and local restaurants make special arrangements for Ramazan and sell special food items with special deals for Iftar across the city, but majority of the people still prefer traditional dishes.

Most people rush to the roadside pushcarts to buy ‘chanay ki chaat’, ‘dahi baray’, ‘dahi phulkiyan’, ‘pakoray’, ‘pani poori’, and ‘kachori’, etc.

A buyer Salman Ahmed said, keeping in view of high demand for these items, in the holy month of Ramazan, the shopkeepers and vendors in Ramazan, these shops increase its rates by 50% in order to get maximum profit.

Otherwise, these shops have special dishes for dinner such as ‘nihari’, ‘haleem’, ‘biryani’, ‘karahi’, ‘kabab’ and ‘gola kabab’, etc., he added.

A shopkeeper Faizan Ali in Mooti bazaar said,’ the sale has doubled comparatively to normal days as people come to my shop to buy ‘dahi bhallay’ for ‘iftari’.

Prices of fruits, vegetables remain stable: The prices of fruits and vegetables overall remained stable after minor fluctuation in price of some items in the federal capital here on Tuesday.

According to the Islamabad Market Committee Price List issued here, the prices of various fruits and vegetables showed no major difference from the price list of the previous week.

According to price list, potato was sold at Rs 35/32 per kilogram, Onion Rs 21/19, Tomato Rs 30/26, Ginger Rs 130/110,Garlic (Quetta) Rs 135/120, Garlic Local 105/90, Lemon Rs145/120, Lady Finger Rs 32/26, Pumpkin Rs 31/25, Brinjal Rs 22/18,Peas Rs 95/80, Fresh Bean Rs 85/82, Tinda Walaiti (imported gourd small) Rs 32/20, Cucumber Rs 27/22, Capsicum Rs 39/32, Green Chilli Rs 42/36, Cauliflower Rs 63/42, Cabbage Rs 19/16, Bitter gourd Rs 30/25, Green Zucchini Rs 32/27, Spinach Rs 26/21, Yam Rs65/60, Maroo Rs 25/20 and Carrot Rs 54/40. Likewise, the rates of fruits per kilogram of high and medium quality in Islamabad are as follows: Apple (kala kalo) Rs145/115, Apple Golden Rs 130/90, Apple White Rs 120/80, Apple China Rs 200/150, Banana Pak Rs 120/85, Banana India Rs 170/135,Pear China Rs 150/120, Melon Rs 58/35, Water Melon Rs 14/12,Mango (Malda) 58/32, Mango (Sindhi) Rs 78/55, Dates (Pakistani)Rs 105/80, Dates (Irani) Rs 135/105, Mango (local) Rs55/35 and Apricoat Rs 118/85, Cherry Rs 195/170, Plum Rs 85/60 and Plum (Special) Rs 110/75.

The people are asked to ensure that they purchased vegetables and fruits as per rate list and inform authorities at051-9108084 in case of any compliant against shopkeepers.