Islamabad: Pakistani politicians’ indulgence in food of their choice is legendary. This, along with their caricatures, is well depicted on a mural drawn inside a restaurant opened last week in the federal capital.
‘Kapital Kitchen’, a small, but artistically designed, restaurant is themed on the common perception that politicians in Pakistan love to ‘eat’. And eat they pretty well!
Besides their eating choices, various myths and realities attached to their political philosophy have also been highlighted on the wall as well as in the menu of the restaurant.
Though short of customers, the management is hopeful the number will grow once people realise there is a ‘different’ place where they can eat and enjoy at the same time.
Caricatures of well-known leaders of different political parties are drawn. They include Prime Minster Imran Khan, former president Asif Ali Zardari, ex-PM Nawaz Sharif, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, Allama Tahirul Qadri, Asfandyar Wali and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Twisted slogans
Under their caricatures one can see popular slogans (though in satirical form) associated with them.
For instance ‘Roti Tukkar Khappy’ is written next to the caricature of Zardari whose ‘Pakistan Khappy’ or ‘Long Live Pakistan’ had become a popular slogan after assassination of his wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.
The menu section under ‘Roti Tukkar Khapay’ offers almost the same dishes that are favoured by Pakistan’s former president Asif Zardari: daal (pulses), vegetable and chickpeas
The chicken section ‘Murghi ko Izzat Do’ is dedicated to former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif and contains almost all the popular chicken recipes.
Another appropriate selection is that of religious party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the desserts section.
The selection has been made keeping in view the common perception that religious leaders are usually fond of eating sweets, particularly halwa (a common sweet dish in the subcontinent).
No politics, please
M Yahya Khan Sadozai, the proprietor of the restaurant, told Gulf News on Thursday that the federal capital is the hub of political activity and all about big political icons.
“As part of the food industry, we understand people are interested about their leaders’ likes and dislikes and eating habits,” he said adding Kapital Kitchen presented a lavish menu that not only matches our politician’s taste buds but also offers well-cooked, fresh and tasty cuisines.
Yahya is a Masters in Advertising & Publicity Design from Department of Fine Arts University of Peshawar and has used his creative skills on the walls of the restaurant. His wife is also in food business and running a fast-food restaurant in Beverly Centre of Islamabad.
Yahya said theme of the restaurant was not conventional and the approach was to make it exciting for public so they can discuss their leaders in a lighter vein. However, he asserted the guests at his restaurant will be requested to discuss their leaders’ eating habits and likes and dislikes, but not politics.
