Inflation-hit people flock to free meal centres

RAWALPINDI:

There has been an extraordinary swell in the number of those who break their fast at langar khanas [free food distribution centres] running on donations in the city and Cantt due to the intensification of the wave of inflation.

With the closure of langar khanas, established under the previous government, the number of deserving people at the free food distribution centres has increased.

A large number of poor and needy people and those belonging to the middle class including labourers, security guards, watchmen, porters and travellers are among the people who break their fasts at langar khanas and dastarkhwans where the hosts respectfully serve them with dates, pakoras, juices, fruits, roti, curry and rice for iftar.

Meanwhile, financial support from philanthropists for the langar khanas has also been increased in the holy month.

According to sources, there has been an increase in the number of langar khanas and dastarkhwans in the city and Cantt before Ramazan where regular floor rugs are laid and the people who come for iftar are seated.

On one hand, philanthropists are actively participating while on the other hand, there is also the passion of those who work voluntarily to serve the people with respect.

The people who visit these langar khanas along with the host organisers offer a collective prayer before breaking their fasts. The organisers of the Royalty Langar established in Rawalpindi’s Gawalmandi area said that while the number of people has increased during Ramazan the philanthropists are also serving the people generously.

Selani Langar, Abbasia Welfare Trust and other langar khanas in City hospitals, Murree Road and other public places are organising iftar meals for the people with complete arrangements.

The administration placed banners on the langar khans for the collection of donations in which a donation of Rs250 per person for a one-time meal has been requested to be deposited at the langar khanas by those who can afford it.

Iftar dinner is being regularly organised by Saeed Yusuf Khan, a philanthropic lawyer, in the district court of Rawalpindi for the last 13 years where the lawyer himself and his children arrange the iftar meals for the people.

Mass iftar meals are also being organised at other places in the city including General Bus Stand Pir Wadhai, Allama Iqbal Park, Peshawar Mor, Railway Station, Sadiqabad, Gulshan Dan Khan and other locations.

The management of these langar khanas says that people who come to the langar khanas are served and also given packed food for takeaway.

On the other hand, philanthropists have also prepared special iftar boxes for passengers at places like General Bus Stand Pir Wadhai, Peshawar Mor, and the railway station which are distributed just before iftar time so that they can break their fasts during the journey.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2023.