- Title: Sugary, fruity drinks fly off shelves as Pakistanis prepare for a hot Ramadan
- Date: 25th May 2017
- Summary: KARACHI, PAKISTAN (MAY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CROWDS WALKING THROUGH WHOLESALE GROCERY MARKET VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS BUYING GROCERIES FOR RAMADAN CUSTOMERS BUYING DATES VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS LOOKING AT BOTTLES AND PACKETS OF SOFT DRINKS WOMAN PURCHASING PACKETS OF SOFT DRINK POWDER VARIOUS OF CUSTOMER PUTTING HIS PURCHASES INTO A BOX VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS CARRYING CARTONS BOXES OF BEVERAGES (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) CUSTOMER AT GROCERY SHOP, TALHA UDDIN, SAYING: "I am mostly purchasing beverages. Because of the heat and power outages, there is going to be a shortage of ice. We also have a shortage of drinking water in this area. So I am trying to make arrangements to make things easier during fasting and Iftar (breaking of fast)." WOMAN BROWSING THROUGH RACKS OF COLD DRINKS ITEMS LYING IN TROLLEY MAN PICKING UP AND LOOKING AT BOTTLE OF LOCAL SYRUP (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) KARACHI GROCERY STORE OWNER, MOHAMMAD BILAL, SAYING: "This year, there is a great demand for soft drinks. Customers are buying liquids, and drinks of all types. Shoppers are buying so many cold drinks and related beverages that many items have become scarce in the market, which is causing a lot of concern among the customers." LAHORE, PAKISTAN (MAY 23, 2017) (REUTERS) CUSTOMERS AT ROADSIDE STALL SELLING 'FALSA', BERRIES NATIVE TO SOUTH ASIA BELIEVED TO RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF HEAT VARIOUS OF SALESMAN POURING BASKETS OF FALSA ONTO CART FALSA BERRIES ROADSIDE STALL SELLING FRESH FRUIT JUICES BASKETS OF FALSA CUSTOMER ASKING FOR FALSA JUICE IN BLENDER VENDOR PREPARING FALSA JUICE (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) LAHORE RESIDENT, ADIL AWAN, SAYING: "If there is (electricity) load shedding, then we will require more fresh juices. I believe all juices are goods, but Falsa has greater benefits. It has a cooling effect on the body; it soothes the liver and is especially helpful in reducing thirst in the summer heat." WOMEN WATCHING AS VENDOR PREPARES FRESH FRUIT JUICE VENDOR HANDING OVER JUICE TO CUSTOMERS ROADSIDE VENDOR SELLING FRESH SUGAR CANE JUICE VENDOR PUSHING SUGAR CANE INTO JUICE MACHINE VANDOR POURING SUGAR CANE JUICE INTO GLASSES MAN DRINKING SUGAR CANE JUICE SHOPKEEPER SELLING WATERMELONS SHOPKEEPER CUTTING WATERMELON TO SHOW TO CUSTOMER (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) CUSTOMER AT FRUIT JUICE STALL, MOHAMMAD SHOAIB, SAYING: "Falsa, peaches and water melon are good for cooling effects on the body in summer. Falsa is very useful in the summer season. It dispels the heat and acidity of the liver and stomach, as well as helps in indigestion." SHOPKEEPER SHOWING SLICE OF RIPE WATERMELON TO CUSTOMERS
- Embargoed: 8th June 2017 10:09
- Keywords: Eid al-Fitr iftar Ramadan Pakistanis prepare for Ramadan Pakistan Ramadan
- Location: LAHORE AND KARACHI, PAKISTAN
- City: LAHORE AND KARACHI, PAKISTAN
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0016IC5V0L
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Pakistanis preparing for the holy month of Ramadan are thronging grocery shops and markets in search of provisions for the upcoming days of fasting, as temperatures across many parts of the country soar.
Shop owners say the demand for beverages and soft drinks among Ramadan shoppers worried about heat and power outages is so great that stores are running out of supplies. Fruit juice from roadside vendors, particularly if made using Falsa berries, is also in high demand as it is believed to relieve thirst and protect against the heat.
Ramadan, the ninth and the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, is a month of austerity and of exercising self-restraint. Pakistan is a pre-dominantly Muslim country where more than ninety percent of its 190 million people practice Islam.
The country's Meteorological Department has predicted Ramadan, traditionally begins with the sighting of the new moon, to begin on Sunday (May 28). The end is celebrated with the Eid al-Fitr festival. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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