A stall selling Saag, maize bread with pickles and fresh butter is indeed an irresistible temptation for a traditional food lover, but it is losing its charm due to the growing trend of fast food at Jinnah Super, a posh market of Islamabad. Muhammad Zafar, an elderly man, sells traditional Punjabi food at his stall. Unhappy with his sale he said, “People are more inclined to buying fast food like burgers and paratha rolls as they think those are easy to eat.”
Talking to Pakistan Today he said even with the fast food chains in the vicinity, traditional food lovers still come to his stall.
Zafar has been running his stall for the last one and half years.
“I am greatly attached with traditional food and want to introduce it to Pakistani youth. People do not realise the health benefits of traditional food and prefer to eat modern, spicy dishes which are not beneficial for health. “People stop to watch me knead maize every day at the stall as this is a novelty for them. Although I put in a lot of hard work the earning is very limited,” he said.
He added that he had many plans for his children that remained unfulfilled due to the low sales and lack of a proper shop.
Zafar has four sons and two daughters who also assist him in preparing the food. “My children go to school but it is difficult for me to afford their education because of the rising inflation.”
A customer, 32-year-old Taimoor Kazmi, told Pakistan Today, “The food is delicious and I come here to have it at least once in a week. It is also affordable as one serving costs Rs 250.”
Haris Khaliq, a college student, said he preferred to have a burger for lunch as he finds it easier to eat.
“We eat traditional food at home and come here to have fast food,” he added.
Traditional food losing its appeal
