Wasim Akram picks Karachi in online food war

Cricket legend says Lahore has heritage and iconic dishes, but Karachi wins on diversity and range

KARACHI:

Pakistan's decades-old Karachi versus Lahore rivalry has found a fresh battleground once again, and this time the debate has drawn in cricket icon Wasim Akram, whose verdict has reignited passionate reactions across social media platforms.

The former Pakistan captain stepped into the country's favourite culinary argument through an Instagram reel, where he attempted to settle the increasingly viral food debate between Karachiites and Lahoris.

While acknowledging Lahore's deep-rooted culinary heritage and famous traditional dishes, Akram ultimately declared Karachi the winner because of what he described as the city's unmatched diversity of cuisines.

"I have been seeing that a big debate is happening on social media. Karachi and Lahore's swords have come out," Akram joked in the video, referring to the flood of online arguments comparing the food cultures of Pakistan's two largest urban centres.

Akram positioned himself as someone uniquely qualified to comment on the rivalry because of his personal connection with both cities. Born and raised in Lahore, the cricket legend spent 42 years living there before moving to Karachi, where he has now spent the past 14 years.

"I was born there, and I am a Lahori. But I have also been living in Karachi for the past 14 years, so I think I can settle this debate once and for all," he said.

The discussion gained momentum after politician Fawad Chaudhry publicly praised Lahore's culinary landscape while downplaying Karachi's food scene. In posts shared on X, Chaudhry argued that Lahore's food carried greater "pedigree" because many eateries had been serving the same dishes for generations.

"Karachi's food is okay, but it lacks Lahore's pedigree," Chaudhry wrote, citing Lahore's historic eateries and traditional recipes as evidence of the city's culinary superiority.

Akram, however, responded directly to those comments with humour and disbelief. "Chaudhry Sahib, which Karachi have you been seeing?" he asked, defending the city where he now resides.

The former fast bowler recalled recently travelling to Lahore during the HBL-PSL finals, where he revisited some of his old favourite restaurants and food streets. He spoke fondly about enjoying grilled chops, chaat, chickpeas and other traditional Lahori dishes, many of which remain closely tied to the city's historic identity.

Yet despite the nostalgia, Akram said he felt Lahore's cuisine had changed significantly over the years, particularly in its increasing use of spices, cream and heavy flavours. "Food there has so many spices. Where did these peppers and creams come from in Lahori food?" he remarked jokingly while recalling visits to Lahore's famous Food Street near the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort.

Even while criticising the excess spice, Akram was careful not to dismiss Lahore's food legacy altogether. He specifically praised iconic establishments such as Waris Nihari and the city's famous paye spots, describing them as landmarks within Pakistan's culinary culture.

Still, his final judgement firmly favoured Karachi because of the city's multicultural food environment. "What I have realised over the years is that Karachi offers incredible diversity in food," he said. "All in one place, we have people of different nations - Pathans, Balochi, Punjabis and Karachi people. Whatever you take, it is a mix of food for everyone."

Akram argued that Karachi's demographic mix allows restaurants to offer a broader range of cuisines under one roof, making the city's food scene more varied than Lahore's more traditional and location-specific dining culture.

The cricket legend ended the debate on a light-hearted note, joking in Punjabi that people would now come after him for expressing his opinion. Chaudhry also appeared to take the remarks sportingly, responding online with a playful Punjabi message teasing a future meeting in Karachi.

The exchange has once again highlighted how the Karachi-Lahore rivalry extends far beyond cricket, politics or entertainment. From biryani and burgers to nihari, paye and centuries-old recipes, food remains one of the most fiercely defended parts of urban identity in Pakistan.

While Karachi continues to market itself as the country's melting pot of flavours and cultures, Lahore's supporters remain equally committed to protecting a culinary heritage shaped by generations of traditional cooking and historic food streets. For now, at least according to Wasim Akram, Lahore may have the history - but Karachi has the variety.