ISLAMABAD - Winter foods sale on the rise in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as people shown interest buying winter delights and other eatables.
Several markets including Melody market, Karachi Company, Jinnah Super Market, Super Market, Aabpara Market, F-10 markaz, Blue Area, Commercial market, Saddar, 6th road, Raja Bazar, Committee chowk and other places are witnessing stalls of winter delights and are doing good business, due to high demand for winter foods.
Chicken Corn Soup is the most favorite and widely like soup for the customers especially in twin cities.
A vendor said that fish consumption multiplied in winter, which was evident from a dramatic surge in their sale during the cold weather. In addition to regular fish shops in capital city, mobile fish vendors roaming around with their ware on bicycles and hand- pushed carts are a common sight these days and usually they offer a good price margin.
Kashmiri tea is another most favorite winter hot drink and it looks more delicious, serve with crushed almonds and pistachio. A restaurant manager at Melody Food Street said that Kashmiri tea is high in demand these days, adding that he prepares three large utensils of tea on daily basis and it all sells like hot cakes.
‘Gajar Halwa’ (Carrot Halwa) also, is considered to be one of irresistible food items in the winter. Prepared with carrots, condensed milk and dry fruits, the delicious halwa is not only a source of energy, but also adds colour and taste to the meal. Doodh jalebi and Rasmalai also favorite winter delights. A shopkeeper at Melody said that the demand of Doodh jalebi increased due to winter season. Besides, fried food like pakoras, samosas and vegetable rolls are also high in demand these days.
Meanwhile, vendors continue to carry out their small business activities on footpaths in the twin cities, causing a number of hardships for the pedestrians and motorists.
Various markets, including Aabpara Market, Faizabad Market, Sitara Market, Melody Market, Karachi Company Market, Faizabad Market, Double Road Market, 6th Road Market, Commercial Market and Raja Bazaar, are reportedly occupied by encroachers.
Growing encroachments have not only marred the beauty of both the cities but also damaged roads, causing hardships for pedestrians and motorists alike. A stallholder at G9 Market said that he had set up a stall at a footpath, as he had no other option due to the skyrocketing rents of shops.
While justifying his illegal practice, he said, “We also have to earn bread for our families. I have set up my stall in this market because I had no other space to do business.”