Steady dip in mercury sees spike in fish sales
With a steady drop in temperatures, the sale of fish as an alternative to the pricey mutton, beef and poultry meat has surged manifolds in the garrison city.
A large number of people come to fish outlets to enjoy the winter delight with their family and friends.
Besides being a perfect food for the icy-cold winters, fish serves best in fulfilling the deficiency of vital proteins, vitamins and minerals, health experts say.
They also assert that an optimum intake of fish cuisine does not cause any harm to the human body. Health expert Dr Ayaz Haider Mughal said fish meat, which is also called white meat, provides the best proteins for the human body. Fish contains iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12 in large quantities, which is why it is also called brain food.
He advised that the fish should be made part of the diet at least twice a week. Fish skin contains omega-3 fatty acids that give the best protection against heart diseases, cancer and stroke, he said adding that the fish should be eaten with the skin.
Despite the supper inflation, the business of selling fish on carts and at fish outlets has reached its zenith in Rawalpindi. Citizens see fish as a cheaper and healthier alternative to poultry and beef.
Although the rates of raw fish remain within the reach of low-income citizens, the sale of fried fish at exorbitant prices has become a profitable business.
With a sharp dip in the mercury in the evening time, those with decent incomes converge to fish centres for a variety of favourite cuisines.
Fish sales in Saddar, Committee Chowk, Syedpur Road, Chandni Chowk, Commercial Market, Sadiqabad, Double Road Food Street, Kartapura Food Street, Bani Chowk, and Chauhar Chowk are said to be booming these days where the process continues till late at night, traders associated with the business say.
Various types of sea, river and dam fish including Pomfret, Black Raho, Mushka, Mahasher, Tuna, Singhara, Bam, Salmon, Khagga and Pallah fish are sold at Ganj Mandi, Raja Bazar, Sabzi Mandi, Jama Masjid Road, Syedpur Road Pandora, Bani Chowk and other places.
Rates of raw fish vary between Rs350 to Rs800 per kg while for the fried and barbequed ones, the rates go up to Rs1,200 per kg.
Gul Sher, a fish seller, says he prefers selling dam fish as it is available all the time given the dams’ proximity to the garrison city.
He also said he used to sell river fish too but it was difficult for him to afford the preservation. He said only big traders deal in river and sea fish.
On the other hand, the fish sellers in the big market of sea and river fish at Ganj Mandi say that sea and river fish are stronger and healthier than dam fish because they feast on natural food. That is why their rates are on the higher side as well, they said.
In the Ganj Mandi fish market, the fish is brought from other cities of the country including Karachi, where it is sold wholesale to the retail markets of the federal capital as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2022.