RECENTLY I happened to travel from Dera Allah Yar to Islamabad in a passenger coach. Usually whenever I travel, I carry home-cooked meals for the journey. Unfortunately, this time owing to other pressing engagements I could not arrange my own meal. I was starving when the passenger coach made a stop at a roadside restaurant near Dera Ghazi Khan around 9:30pm.

When we stopped at this hotel, there were passengers from six coaches already present and the place was packed to capacity. The restaurant staff told me the only dish available was turnip curry. As I was famished, I ordered a meal and polished it off.

I was astonished to learn that the meal cost Rs300 for a curry and two naans. I had no alternative except pay. I request the Punjab Food Authority to turn their attention to the hundreds of eateries along roads and highways in the province and strictly monitor them.

Muhammad Waris
Dera Allah Yar, Balochistan

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2019