The nutritious fruit with sweet watery pink flesh and a lot of black seeds is in high production this year, which is the major reason for its lower prices in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Murtaza Khan, a fruit seller at G-7 Market told APP on Monday that the authorities concerned directed to increase the supply of edible items especially, fruits in this month . The watermelon was sold at Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg before Ramadan but now it was available at Rs 15-20 in the markets. “The fruit, equally popular among all age groups, is being sold in the local markets for the last 15 days and it will remain high in demand for a month till Monsoon sets in, which diminishes its original taste,” he said.
“A truck load of watermelons is available in the market from Rs 200,000 to Rs 250,000, and it takes only about a week to get sold,” Yasir said. He was of the view that watermelon sale witnessed unprecedented rise during the holy month of Ramadan. Dr Qasim Raza, a general physician, sharing watermelon’s nutrition values said it reduced high blood pressure in the overweight people and minimized the risk of heart attacks.
“More people could be saved from sunstroke if they take the water-rich fruit like watermelon, which helps in maintaining required water level in the body, besides several other benefits” he said. It also aide in reducing body weight, he added. Dr Qasim, however, warned patients with high sugar levels to take this delicious fruit in consultation with their physicians. He especially recommended use of watermelon for those who had to work in the sun for a longer period of time to avoid heat stroke and dehydration.
Akbar Satti, a customer purchasing watermelon in Pir Wadhai Fruit Market, said the fruit was a blessing for the poor. Saleem Khan a security guard at a public school said due to meager salary it was not possible for him to buy other expensive fruits but watermelon, ‘a family feast’ was still in his approach to beat the heat. Another buyer at G-9 Sassta Bazar Abdullah Saeed said "Watermelon has become a public demand in this month as body gets dehydrated due to fasting added that there is a dire need to tighten the noose around the profiteers who are fleecing the public without any fear and dogging them with unauthorized rates."