The trend of online food deliveries for Sehr and Iftar is gaining momentum due to a closure of dine-in facility by the authorities concerned amid rising cases of Covid-19 in the country.
Many people residing in the federal capital would usually have Sehr and Iftar at restaurants but were now opting for home delivery. Even the small kiosks and food outlets can be accessed easily for placing orders through app-based food delivery services, citizens said while talking to The Express Tribune the other day.
"The Covid situation has curtailed our social activities to a larger extent as we cannot go out for Iftar and Sehr but thankfully it is easier for us to have food from all kinds of restaurants through various app-based services", Saeeda Naz, a resident said.
She observed that although it was risky to order food online from any restaurant as there was risk of contracting the virus from the delivery person, but it is unavoidable as children do not like home-cooked food all the time and demand something exciting daily in Iftar.
Another citizen, Kamran Ali, said, "My wife and I are working individuals and we cannot manage preparing food at home most of the time so it is more convenient for us to order Iftar online". He added that the food delivery services offer an option to the customers for availing contactless delivery, which is good to avoid any risk of catching the virus.
Online homemade foodservice witnessed a boom globally after the first wave of coronavirus when most of the countries imposed lockdown. Similarly, it gained popularity in Pakistan as well during the prevailing situation.
A number of women started homemade food businesses by registering with bike-hailing food delivery services and offering good quality homemade food to the customers, which proved to be a good source of income for them.
Shaista Munir, an entrepreneur, was of the view that although the pandemic brought a disaster to the lives of many but offered some opportunities too. She said her husband was let go from his job during the first wave of the pandemic after which she started a food business from home. “Thanks to the food delivery services I was motivated to start my own work,” she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2021.
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