For Ramazan: Ban imposed on sale of pakora, samosa in Tank

Shopkeepers say move has brought their businesses at standstill

DI KHAN: Tank district government imposed a ban on the sale and purchase of pakora and samosa in Tank city. This ban is meant to respect those who fast in Ramazan. The ban shall be observed from morning till 2pm.

However, the ban has not come down well with those affiliated with the business.

“I have to pay Rs15,000 for my shop’s rent and I was expecting higher sales in Ramazan, but the administration’s decision has overturned my fate,” a shopkeeper told The Express Tribune. “We request the government to lift such unjust and unfair bans and focus on real issues.”

The district government has issued strict instructions that anyone found guilty of preparing and selling pakoras and samosas during the prohibited hours will be punished and put in jail.

The government officials said this step was taken to prevent people from eating and drinking in public during the month.

The current ban has consolidated the culture of hate and contempt for those who cannot or do not fast.

Moreover, the ban has also made it impossible for anyone to eat or drink anywhere, with the only exception of toilets may be, in Ramazan.

In 2015, more than 2,000 people had died of dehydration and heatstroke during the severe heatwave in Karachi alone. Many such deaths occur due to a total lack of instant availability of water and food for the feeble and poor ones who suffer from hot weather.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2016.