KP Sohan Halwa Steals Iftar Spotlight
APP
Peshawar: As the holy month of Ramadan unfolds, traditional sweets from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are once again taking center stage at Iftar tables, blending culinary heritage with growing business opportunities.
Among these, the famed Sohan Halwa of Dera Ismail Khan stands out, attracting buyers from across the province and beyond.
Local specialties like DI Khan’s sohan halwa, Bannu’s gajar halwa, Mardani pera of Mardan, and Rajjar methai of Charsadda are now staple treats for Iftar parties, weddings, engagements, and other festive occasions. While traders bring in varieties from Multan and other districts, DI Khan’s sohan halwa is particularly popular due to its distinctive flavor, affordability, and quality.
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Barkat Ali, a sweet shop owner at Qissa Khawani Bazaar, told APP that he had stocked 200 kilograms of DI Khan sohan halwa for special Iftar sales, with an additional 200 kilograms brought in to meet rising demand.
The sweets are prepared using traditional ingredients such as milk, khoya, sugar, fine flour, ghee, and dry fruits, contributing to their rich taste and energy value. Prices in Peshawar range from Rs 550 to Rs 600 per kilogram, more economical than Multani sohan halwa, which sells for Rs 700–800 per kilogram.
Similarly, Charsadda’s Rajjar methai, made from pure gur, has become a must-have Iftar delicacy. Yaqoob Khan, owner of Razzar Sweets, explained that his family has been producing the sweet for three generations since 1930, using evolving recipes that now incorporate desi ghee, milk, butter, and white flour to enhance taste and quality.
Rajjar methai is popular locally and internationally, reaching markets in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, the USA, the UK, and other Western countries.
Mardani pera from Mardan also draws significant attention, with buyers purchasing large quantities for family and friends during Ramadan.
Many residents highlighted the sweets’ affordability and cultural significance, with some suggesting greater marketing efforts and foreign promotion could boost exports and earn valuable foreign exchange.
Traders emphasized the need for government support following financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and 2022 floods. They called for interest-free loans and industry recognition for traditional sweets like DI Khan sohan halwa and Charsadda’s Rajjar methai, which would safeguard livelihoods, strengthen businesses, and generate employment for laborers.
As Iftar tables fill across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, these sweets are not only nourishing bodies but also preserving a culinary heritage, connecting communities, and sustaining a centuries-old local economy.
