PESHAWAR:
Despite rising inflation and prices touching Rs3,500 per kilogram, Peshawar’s legendary appetite for namkeen gosht (salted lamb Karahi) remains undiminished, with residents and visitors continuing to flock to restaurants for this signature local delicacy.
According to local estimates, meat from fat-tailed sheep worth more than Rs50 million is consumed across the city every day. In the historic Namak Mandi alone, around 150 lamb valued at Rs7.5 million are sold daily. More than 25 specialised shops in the market collectively sell over 150 animals each day.
Senior Vice President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Zafar Shinwari, said the city has over 200 restaurants and shops serving lamb-based salted meat. Collectively, these outlets sell more than 1,000 sheep daily, generating business worth approximately Rs5.25 crore.
“Peshawar’s namkeen gosht is famous not just across Pakistan but also abroad,” Shinwari noted. Tourists from other cities and countries routinely make it a point to visit Namak Mandi specifically for the salted meat tikka, coal-grilled seekh kebabs, and traditional karahi.
However, the soaring prices have pushed the delicacy beyond the reach of many ordinary citizens. The closure of the Pak-Afghan border has disrupted the traditional supply of cheaper lamb, forcing suppliers to source animals from Punjab and Balochistan at higher costs. Hotel owners report an annual price increase of around Rs1,000 per kg.
Even so, enthusiasts continue to visit restaurants with family and friends at least once a month to enjoy the smoky, coal-cooked flavours of dumba meat.
The salted meat trade is gradually moving away from the traditional Namak Mandi to other parts of the city. New outlets have sprung up in Hayatabad, Ring Road, University Road, Warsak Road, and surrounding areas under various names.
Traders in Namak Mandi cite severe parking problems caused by heavy vehicles and customer cars as the main reason for the shift. The resulting traffic congestion has pushed both locals and visitors toward more accessible restaurants outside the congested market.
Despite the challenges of inflation and logistical issues, Peshawar’s passion for its world-renowned lamb delicacies shows no signs of waning.
