Pakola, derived from Pakistan-Cola, is flavored carbonated soft drink from Pakistan.[2]
 | |
| Type | Cola |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Pakistan |
| Introduced | 14 August 1950[1] |
| Color | Green |
| Flavor | Ice-cream Soda |
| Variants | Pakola Fresh Lime Pakola Orange Pakola Raspberry Pakola Ice-cream Soda Pakola Lychee Pakola Pomegranate |
| Related products | Exported to United States Africa Australia Afghanistan Canada Middle East New Zealand United Kingdom |
| Website | www |
History
Pakola was the creation of seven brothers from the Teli family of Dhoraji in India who migrated to Pakistan in 1947. The idea of Pakola came from its founder Haji Ali Mohammad, who dreamed of developing a drink that portrayed the true reflection and taste of Pakistan.[3]
The drink was launched at Pakistan Air Force Base on the anniversary of Pakistan's Independence, 14 August 1950,[3][4] in the presence of the first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan.
In the early 1960s, people started mixing Pakola with chilled milk and started serving it to jugs during the communal 'iftars' during the month of Ramadan. This helped increase its consumption and popularity.[1]
Later when Pakistan Beverages (PB) came into existence at SITE Karachi, the brand Pakola was produced there. In 1979, when Pakistan Beverages was announced as a production facility for Pepsi, Mehran Bottlers came into existence and continued to produce the drink along with other products such as Apple Sidra and Bubble Up.[5]
Mehran Bottlers was managed by his nephews Zafar Habib and Arif Habib. In 2004, Mehran Bottlers and Pakistan Beverages started manufacturing cans in Pakistan.
In 2004, Zeeshan Z. Habib took charge as the chief executive officer of Mehran Bottlers.
Varieties
Several of the variants that have been introduced by Pakola:
- Pakola Ice Cream Soda (1950)[1]
- Pakola Orange (1985)
- Pakola Raspberry (1985)
- Pakola Lychee (1991)
- Pakola Fresh Lime (2006)
- Pakola Water (2015)
- Pakola Pomegranate (2016)
- Pakola Vimto
- Apple Sidra
- Forest (Club Soda)
Ingredients
Pakola is made with carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, cream soda artificial flavor, Color: FD&C Bleu No 1 (E 133), FD&C Yellow No.5 (E 102), and sodium benzoate. A typical can of Pakola (8.5 fl ounces/250 ml) has 34 g of sugar, 15 mg of sodium, 0 g of cholesterol, 0 g fat, 0 g of protein, and 130 calories.
Production
Distribution
Pakola is now available in America, Africa, Australia, Canada, Middle East, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It is the only carbonated beverage manufactured in Pakistan that is exported globally.[1]
Glass bottles
Due to the introduction of the capacity tax in 2013, Pakola discontinued the production and distribution of all glass-bottled products. The tax was levied on the overall production and distribution of the machinery instead of output, which was detrimental for companies with lower productions or smaller markets. After the collapse of this system, Mehran Bottlers quickly set up their PET lines to grasp the market once again.[6][4][5]
References
- ^ a b c d e (Nadeem F. Paracha) 'Cult Pakistan: Part 1' Dawn (newspaper), Published 30 June 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2021
- ^ "Pakola, Pakistan's Iconic Soda". The Juggernaut.
- ^ a b "EXCERPT: Indigenous icons". DAWN.COM. 14 February 2010.
- ^ a b Saniya Naqvi (13 June 2018). "Pakola: engaging with Pakistan's mighty hearts". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ a b Saad Hasan (31 July 2013). "Bleeding green: Pakola fizzles out as capacity tax reintroduced". The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ a b Saad Hasan (9 January 2014). "The story which left us thirsting for more..." The Express Tribune (newspaper). Retrieved 20 September 2021.