In Karachi, Palestinian mother-daughter trio offers ‘authentic’ Arabic desserts to Pakistani customers 

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Updated 01 March 2024
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In Karachi, Palestinian mother-daughter trio offers ‘authentic’ Arabic desserts to Pakistani customers 

  • Eman Al Hajj Ali, her two daughters operate an online business selling Middle Eastern desserts prepared at home
  • The venture sells popular Middle Eastern desserts such as Kunafe, Basbusa and Katayef to Pakistani customers

KARACHI: Eman Al Hajj Ali, a Palestinian émigré with a background in electrical engineering and information technology, did not know she would carve a place for herself within the culinary landscape of Pakistan’s bustling Karachi city after arriving here with her family a year and a half ago because of her husband’s job.

Launching an online business named Palestine Sweets, she ventured into a field far from her formal training, armed with nothing but her mother’s traditional recipes. Ali is not a chef by training neither has she ever aspired to be an entrepreneur, yet she has made a noticeable impact on the lives of people around her while living in Pakistan’s biggest and most populous metropolis.

Middle Eastern cuisines are popular with people across Pakistan, resonating with the local palate due to their rich flavors and aromatic spices. But Karachi’s food scene is mostly dominated by people who either arrived there from India after the 1947 partition of the subcontinent or members of the Pashtun community from the country’s northwest, who are known for their passion for good food.




Eman Al Hajj Ali prepares kunafa at her residence in Karachi, Pakistan on Feb 28, 2024. (AN Photo)

“I have learned [these recipes] from my mom,” she told Arab News this week. “Some of these [recipes] I have, you know, created on my own, learning from here and there before tweaking them to come up with my own version.”

While both of Ali’s parents were born and raised in Palestine, she was born in Kuwait where her father worked at the time. She says she used to visit Palestine every summer until the Arab-Israel war in June 1967, when her family was living outside Palestine. Since the war, Ali’s family, like many other Palestinians, have not been allowed to go back to their home country.

Palestine Sweets is not just Ali’s initiative but also involves her daughters, Laila and Isra, who are both business graduates. Together the three described it as a heartfelt endeavor to share a slice of Palestine’s rich heritage with the people of Pakistan.

Especially since Ali says Pakistanis know little about Palestinians and associate the people of her country with only Israel’s war and occupation.

“They know very little about the culture,” she said. “And food is a great part of any culture. So, I thought that it would be lovely to introduce Palestinian desserts into the Pakistani community.”

So, Ali and her daughters started by introducing Pakistani customers to Kunafe, which Ali says is referred to as the “king of desserts” in Palestine.

Kunafe is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert, made with spun pastry and soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup. Although the dish has several variations depending on the region where it is prepared, Kunafe is typically layered with cheese, cream, or nuts.




Eman Al Hajj Ali (center), and her daughters Laila Al Qirim (right) and Isra Jaleel speak with Arab News at their residence in Karachi, Pakistan on Feb 28, 2024. (AN Photo)

Other Middle Eastern desserts offered by Palestine Sweets include Basbusa, cakes baked from semolina flour, and the Katayef dessert, stuffed pancakes often filled with nuts, spices, fruits and cheese.

Besides desserts, the online venture also offers customers the Maqluba, a traditional Middle Eastern rice dish that it serves with lamb’s meat and eggplant.

The prices of these desserts, which Ali and her daughters deliver from their apartment in Karachi’s Defense area through a delivery service, range between Rs1,000 ($3.6) and Rs2,250 ($8), which may vary according to the serving size.

Laila said Israel’s recent war on Gaza, which has killed over 29,000 people since October last year, triggered a lot of curiosity among Pakistanis about the people of Palestine, leading many to visit Palestine Sweets’ social media accounts and learn about their venture. 

“With that increase in curiosity, a lot of people found their way to our page,” she told Arab News. ” And praise be to God, a lot of Karachiites have supported our business.”

But Laila was quick to clarify that that wasn’t the only reason for the venture’s success, saying that customers loved the unique and original Middle Eastern taste its dishes offered.

She cited the example of the Kunafe dish, saying that it is not made with any variations. She said what sets Palestine Sweets apart is that it is the only venture that offers authentic Middle Eastern desserts to people.

“It [Palestine Sweets] is fully run by Arabs and Palestinians, specifically,” Laila said. “We have our own original recipes.”

And it is paying off as well, according to Laila. A chunk of their customers are the adventurous ones who want to try out a new dish just to see what it tastes like, however, the bulk are regular ones. 

“We have a lot of customers that are very, very loyal,” she said. “Some even order every week, at least once. It’s become a permanent part of their table.”

Some of their clients in Karachi are Arabs as well, who equally love their food items. But for very different reasons.

“They give me beautiful feedback that it is nostalgic,” Ali explained. “It took them back to memories with their grandparents and families back in the Middle East, especially when they have Katayef during Ramadan.”


Met Office issues GLOF alert for northern Pakistan amid rising temperatures

Updated 58 min ago
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Met Office issues GLOF alert for northern Pakistan amid rising temperatures

  • Hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of Pakistan in the last 24 hours
  • Monsoon rains and glacier melt caused deadly floods in 2022, affecting 33 million

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday issued an alert regarding possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Pakistan’s northern areas, amid rising temperatures in the country.

Hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of Pakistan and isolated falls of rain were recorded in Punjab, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh in the last 24 hours.

Nokkundi in Balochistan recorded the highest temperature on Friday 47°C, followed by 46°C in Bunji in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 45 in Dalbandin, Sibbi and Jacobabad, according to the PMD.

“Due to a significant rise in temperatures and upcoming system in northern Pakistan, the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) is very likely to increase in glaciated areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it said.

“The persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events, potentially triggering GLOF and flash floods incidents, in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions.”

The development comes as Pakistan braces for an extreme monsoon season that usually lasts till mid-September, with over 60 people killed in rains and floods in a little more than a week.

“All concerned are advised to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation,” the PMD said in its alert.

Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, is consistently ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains and glacier melt caused catastrophic floods that affected 33 million people, killed more than 1,700 and caused over $30 billion in financial losses.


Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 15

Updated 19 min 22 sec ago
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Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 15

  • Friday’s incident was the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi
  • It laid bare the issue of unsafe housing in the city, home to over 20 million people

KARACHI: The death toll from a five-storey building collapse in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi rose to 15 on Saturday, officials said, after rescuers pulled more bodies from the rubble overnight.

The Fotan Mansion residential building, where several families were said to be living, crumbled shortly around 10am on Friday in the impoverished Lyari neighborhood of the city.

Rescue workers, along with residents of the area, continued their operation to find survivors and bodies through the night, once again laying bare the issue of unsafe housing in Karachi.

“Rescue operation still continues at Baghdadi Lyari where the building had collapsed yesterday,” Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said. “As of now the death toll is 15.”

The building collapse left around a dozen other people injured.

Many of the occupants were members of the low-income Hindu minority community and residents estimated that around 40 people were inside when the building collapsed.

According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Fotan Mansion had been declared unsafe as far back as 2012.

“This building was declared dangerous by the SBCA in 2012 and had been served multiple notices over the years,” SBCA spokesperson Shakeel Dogar told Arab News. “Before the recent rains, public announcements were also made in the area, but unfortunately, no one was willing to vacate.”

Friday’s incident is the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi.

In February 2020, a five-storey building collapsed in Rizvia Society, killing at least 27 people. The following month, another residential structure came down in Gulbahar, claiming 16 lives. In June 2021, a three-storey building in Malir collapsed, killing four. And just last year, in August, a building collapse in Qur'angi led to at least three deaths.

Mayor Wahab said on Friday evening that rescue efforts remained their top priority, with accountability and investigation to follow.

“Once we’re done with the rescue aspect, we will focus on who was responsible for this negligence or omission,” he added.


Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security

Updated 56 min 39 sec ago
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Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security

  • Pakistan proposes joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency
  • It highlights commitment to climate-adaptive agriculture amid environmental degradation

KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday urged Saudi Arabia to invest in agricultural research and storage infrastructure as part of a broader push for sustainable food security, according to an official statement.

The call was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad, following the launch ceremony of the third phase of the Saudi Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.

“Rana Tanveer Hussain shared Pakistan’s long-term vision for achieving sustainable food security through investment in agricultural research, innovation and modernized farming systems,” said the statement circulated after the meeting.

“The Minister proposed deeper collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in key areas such as joint agricultural research, technological exchange and investment in food processing and storage infrastructure,” it added.

Hussain also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to improving irrigation practices and promoting climate-adaptive agriculture to address the growing challenges posed by environmental degradation.

He invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in agri-based projects, particularly in high-yield zones, and called for institutional cooperation between universities and research centers in both countries.

The minister also proposed joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency, describing them as high-impact areas for regional collaboration.

Earlier, he distributed food baskets to families under the Saudi Food Security Support Project and interacted with recipients.

Now in its third phase, the Saudi-backed initiative is delivering essential food supplies to thousands of households across Pakistan, providing much-needed relief amid climate-related challenges.


Azerbaijan signs $2 billion investment agreements with Pakistan on sidelines of ECO summit

Updated 04 July 2025
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Azerbaijan signs $2 billion investment agreements with Pakistan on sidelines of ECO summit

  • Development came after sustained engagement between Pakistani and Azerbaijani officials recently
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif also held separate meetings with the presidents of Turkiye, Iran and Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan signed investment agreements worth $2 billion with Pakistan on Friday to boost economic cooperation, said an official statement released in Islamabad, in a major development during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Central Asian state for the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit.

The two-day summit, hosted in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, focused on a sustainable and climate-resilient future for the region.

In his address, Sharif warned that climate change posed an existential threat to ECO member states, highlighting the impact of melting glaciers, floods, desertification and declining crop yields. He also emphasized more trade, tourism and regional integration to enhance economic prosperity.

“In the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov signed agreements for $2 billion of investment in Pakistan’s economic sector from Azerbaijan,” the PM Office announced in a statement.

The agreements were signed following a bilateral meeting between Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, with officials hoping for a more detailed agreement during Aliyev’s upcoming visit to Pakistan.

“The agreement has elevated investment and trade relations between the two countries to a historic level and will serve as a guarantee for further strengthening their brotherly ties and commercial partnership,” the official Pakistani statement added.

It also described the development as a result of sustained engagement between Pakistani ministries and diplomats and their Azerbaijani counterparts over recent months.

SIDELINE DIPLOMACY

On the sidelines of the summit, Sharif held separate meetings with the presidents of Turkiye, Iran and Uzbekistan, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation, peace and connectivity.

In his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and vowed to accelerate progress in critical areas.

“The two leaders reiterated their resolve to bring about meaningful progress in relations... [emphasizing] the importance of deepening cooperation in trade, defense, energy, connectivity and investment,” said a separate handout by the PM Office.

To advance this agenda, both sides agreed to exchange high-level delegations to finalize understandings reached between the sides.

In another key engagement, the Pakistani prime minister met Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, with both sides reviewing the implementation of previous agreements to strengthen bilateral ties.

Sharif praised Iran’s leadership during the recent conflict with Israel and welcomed Tehran’s decision to agree to a ceasefire.

“The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Iran and Pakistan’s strong commitment to continue working closely with Iran for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said.

In his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Sharif focused on regional integration, energy cooperation, and the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which is seen as vital for unlocking trade corridors between Central and South Asia.

“The two leaders agreed on visits of their senior ministers to Tashkent and Islamabad to finalize necessary agreements,” the PMO said, adding that both sides viewed their cultural and historical ties as a strong foundation for broader collaboration.


Escaped lion attacks woman and children in Pakistan street

Updated 04 July 2025
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Escaped lion attacks woman and children in Pakistan street

  • CCTV footage shows the lion jumping the barrier around its home and pursuing the family
  • It knocks the woman to the ground and claws the arms and faces of her two children

LAHORE: An escaped pet lion chased a woman and two children down a busy street in Pakistan’s Lahore, police said Friday, with dramatic footage showing the big cat leaping a wall before pouncing on them.

CCTV footage released by the police showed the lion jumping the barrier around its home and pursuing a woman carrying her shopping on Thursday night.

The lion jumped on her back, knocking her to the ground, the footage showed.

A police report quoted the father as saying the lion then turned to his five-year-old and seven-year-old children, and clawed their arms and faces.

All three were taken to hospital but were not in a critical condition.

The owners who ran out of the house were “amused to see their lion attack” the passersby, the father added in the report.

Police said Friday they had arrested three men.

“The suspects fled from the spot, taking the lion with them. They were arrested within 12 hours of the incident,” the office of the Deputy Inspector General Operations in Lahore told AFP.

The lion, an 11-month-old male, has been confiscated by police and sent to a wildlife park.

Officials at the facility said that the animal appears to be in good health.

Keeping exotic animals, especially big cats, as pets has long been seen as a sign of privilege and power in Punjab, the most populous province of the country.

In December 2024, an adult lion escaped from its enclosure in another neighborhood of Lahore, terrorizing residents before being shot dead by a security guard.

The incident prompted the provincial government to pass new laws regulating the sale, purchase, breeding and ownership of big cats.

The law now requires owners to obtain licenses for the animals which are barred from being kept in residential areas.

Breeders have to pay a hefty fee for registration, while farms have to be a minimum of 10 acres in size.