Ramazan and Eid celebrations in Pakistan are a thing of its own, and are incomparable
LONDON, UK: As overseas Pakistanis, we spend years, and sometimes decades away from our homeland. We get used to the facilities and privileges First World countries offer, and often complain how Pakistan is still lagging behind.
However, one thing remains unchanged — Ramazan and Eid celebrations in Pakistan are a thing of its own, and are incomparable. We can try our best to imitate our childhood iftars by preparing Rooh Afza and fruit chaat, along with the traditional pakoras and samosas, but nothing beats standing in line to buy fried food from makeshift stalls set up on the streets of Karachi, especially for Ramazan. Thinking about the aloo samasos and chana chaat — whether homemade or from the vendors — still makes my mouth water even after all these years.
Of course, let’s not forget the role of PTV for tuning us into the spirit of Ramazan. The daily broadcasts of the 99 Names of Allah, the various prayers and Quran recitations that were aired in the morning and evening were a source of great learning in every household and almost every child from the 80s and 90s is familiar with them. It is great to see that PTV continues this tradition despite all the competition private media channels have brought with their Ramazan transmissions.
Zaina Areeb
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2019.
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