37 Imported Foods and Toiletries Removed from Karachi Market Over Haram Concerns

Recently, 37 imported food items and toiletries have been removed from Karachi’s market due to concerns that they contain haram ingredients or were processed in a non-halal manner. Despite the absence of an official notice from any government body, reports indicate that individuals have pressured storekeepers to remove these products.

Many medium and small stores have complied to avoid potential violent backlash, while larger malls have also taken precautionary measures by removing some of these items. A salesman from a local store mentioned that one of the individuals involved in banning these products stated, “We don’t consume these items in England because they are haram; shockingly, they are imported into Pakistan.” This individual reportedly highlighted that Muslims in the West scrutinize labels for haram ingredients and have compiled a list of 37 banned items, which include products with questionable meat sources or dubious preservatives. Although the protester spoke in Urdu with a Punjabi accent, the salesman did not believe they were foreigners.

The banned list reportedly includes various brands of imported soups (both dry and canned), tinned sausages, corned beef, chocolates, jelly, children’s candies with jelly and bubblegum, snacks, cake mixes from South Korea and Japan, instant noodles, and cereals.

Historically, Pakistanis who studied or worked abroad were advised to choose foods made by Jewish manufacturers as a kosher alternative, given their avoidance of pork and lard. However, with the significant Muslim population in the West and increased market demand for halal products, many manufacturers now explicitly label their products as halal. In the UK, fresh foods containing meat, such as qorma, are clearly labeled with “halal” cards. Some manufacturers even seek religious rulings to ensure their gelatin is halal.

The recent ban on these imported items raises questions about the underlying motives. Many of these products do not come directly from the West but are imported into Karachi via Saudi Arabia. It is unlikely that Saudi Arabia, which is vigilant about halal practices, would unknowingly allow haram products into its market. Typically, products with Saudi labels are considered halal.

In the USA, street vendors offer hot dogs made with either pork or non-pork sausages, with many Muslims consuming the latter. Pakistani visitors abroad often choose fish, assuming it is safe, but must also ensure it is cooked in non-haram oil. While it is understandable for Muslim visitors to be cautious about halal and haram aspects of food, the recent ban on imported products in Pakistan seems illogical.

The trend of labeling domestic products as “halal” in Pakistan, including items like milk, snacks, and even non-food products like soap and pencils, reflects a broader issue of mindlessly adhering to fanatic demands. The practice of labeling such products in a Muslim-majority country raises questions about the necessity and intent behind these regulations.