China's Central TV Runs Special Programme On...

The China's Central Television (CNTV) has telecast a special programme on how the Pakistani people observe the holy month of Ramdan and the unique foods being prepared for the Iftar. In Pakistan, almost everybody stops to rejoice for a few minutes, following the iftar and Azan, the call to prayer and the time to break the day long fasts, said the documentary. Preparations for iftar commence hours before at roadside stalls. Various delicacies are prepared, especially high protein food so that the people can regain their energy after dawn to dusk fasting. After fasting for over sixteen hours, as the iftar time draws near, the evening is lit up with stalls selling savory treats, mostly traditional Pakistani foods, especially prepared in the month of Ramadan.
In Pakistan iftar or the fast break is usually heavy, consisting mainly of traditional jalebi, samosas, pakora and namak para, besides the staple dates and water.
Zulfiqar Ahaukat, a vendor has been preparing these specialties since forty years. He said business reaches its peak in the month of Ramadan.
"We have special recipes to make all these treats. That is why we have the most customers in the city. These are only prepared in Pakistan," he noted.
Other items such as chicken rolls, Chinese spring rolls, Shami Kebabs, and fruit salads are also very common.
If there is no samosa and pakora in aftari time, then it is considered not to be a complete aftari. Ramadan comes after a whole year, so they look forward to all the traditional foods that the month brings with it.
The month of Ramadan is marked in Pakistan as a festive season when people make donations to the poor and give charity generously.
Many market places and mosques offer langar, which is distributing free iftar meals. Muslims believe that breaking fast in mass congregation builds peace and love among humanity.
They say that Pakistan is witnessing many calamities and it is time for Muslims to become united and pray for bring the country out of the hardships.