Afghan street food disappears from Pakistani cities amid deportation drive

In Islamabad and Karachi, Afghan street food stalls are disappearing as Afghan nationals are being deported from Pakistan. The deportation drive has resulted in the closure of these stalls, taking away not just the food but also a sense of community and belonging.

Since November 2023, nearly one million Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan, and the legal stay of 1.4 million Afghan refugees has lapsed. The loss of Afghan street food stalls is a quiet but significant impact of this deportation drive.

These stalls introduced Pakistanis to Afghan flavors like fries with secret chutney, paratha-wrapped burgers, and Kabuli Pulao rice. As Afghan families leave, Pakistani vendors have tried to replicate the recipes but acknowledge that something essential is missing.

In Karachi's Al-Asif Square, the departure of Afghan craftsmen and shopkeepers is not just culinary but existential. The loss of Afghan food culture represents a larger erasure of traditions and knowledge passed down through generations.

Afghans have been an integral part of urban Pakistan, contributing to various sectors and shaping the cities. Dr. Sanaa Alimia, author of Refugee Cities: How Afghans Changed Urban Pakistan, emphasized the importance of valuing Afghans beyond their economic contributions.

The departure of Afghan nationals not only signifies the loss of food but also of tradition, taste, and cultural exchange.

According to the source: Arab News.