Eid Milad catering orders pile up

Despite increased prices, caterers have closed bookings early

RAWALPINDI:

Due to the upcoming celebrations of Eid Miladun Nabi, food catering shops across the city and vendors who cook large pots of food have increased the prices of all types of dishes for nazr-o-niyaz (charity).

Citizens in neighborhoods have started pooling money to place orders for charity meals. Overwhelmed by the demand, all major food shops have now closed bookings until 3pm on the first day of Milad. An additional fee is also being demanded for special orders.

For the occasion, catering shops have fixed the price of a 10-kilogramme pot of chickpea rice at Rs10,500, pea rice at Rs11,000, vegetable pulao at 9,000, chicken pulao at Rs18,000, beef pulao at Rs22,000, plain zarda (sweet rice) at Rs11,000, special zarda at Rs16,000, beef biryani at Rs22,000, chicken biryani at Rs20,000, chicken qorma at Rs17,500,and beef qorma at Rs19,000.

Milad Committee officials, Faisal Ali and Kumail Hasan, said that due to higher prices this year, they have pooled funds to place orders for pulao and zarda. "This is nazr-o-niyaz for the Holy Milad. No matter how expensive it gets, we will pay the price," they said. On the other hand, catering shop owner Chaudhry Irshad stated that the prices of rice, chicken, meat and every other item have increased by 50 per cent in one year. "Gas, shop rents and electricity have all become more expensive. Yet, there are a large number of orders. Whether it is Ashura or Milad, we expect prices to go up by Rs500 to Rs1,000 on these occasions," he said.

Pindi finalises Milad preps

On the other hand, the district administration has announced strict measures for the upcoming Eid Miladun Nabi (pbuh) processions, making rosewater sprinkling on procession routes and mandatory health certificates for all food vendors and sweet shops part of the official arrangements. Vendors have been directed to immediately present their health certificates to the authorised authorities.

According to the administration's directives, heavy vehicles, donkey carts, and rickshaws will not be allowed on the designated routes, while political flags, party slogans, roadside parking, storage of building materials, carrying of weapons, and the use of loud drums have also been banned along procession paths.

These decisions were made during an important meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema, attended by police officers and relevant department heads. The DC instructed all departments to finalise preparations strictly in line with approved SOPs and submit their compliance certificates without delay.

The Health Department has been directed to ensure arrangements in all hospitals and establish medical camps at key locations including Committee Chowk, Bani Chowk, Fawara Chowk, and Pul Nazar Shah. To ensure foolproof security, the administration will use Safe City cameras, drones, and a central control room to continuously monitor the processions.

All stalls selling food items must obtain a valid health certificate, while sweet shops have also been ordered to secure certification as per Punjab government directives. The Deputy Commissioner further instructed the Traffic Police to immediately prepare and release a traffic and parking plan to facilitate smooth movement for citizens.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) has been tasked with washing and cleaning all procession routes and ensuring rosewater sprinkling for participants. Assistant commissioners from all tehsils also briefed the meeting about local-level arrangements in their respective areas.