Tomato trouble for Pakistan's curries

Our subcontinent can occasionally do without the four estates of democracy but not those of curry: onion, garlic, ginger and tomato. So, the brave move by Pakistan's social media activists to boycott the fourth estate — tomatoes — or at least those who control it, must be especially commended. It is not easy to do without something that has become a habit, but taking on the tomato mafia on the issue of exorbitant prices is obviously a righteous one.

A similar boycott there of unexpectedly expensive fruit during Ramzan has evidently inspired the current tomato abstention move. Unfortunately, Pakistan's political class has not helped matters by deciding that India's tomatoes are not wanted even at the cost of curries losing their tang and colour. “Use yoghurt instead” has apparently been the stern official rejoinder, but that is not always anatural or feasible alternative.

The schadenfreude inherent in the Pakistani official stance is evident: prices have fallen across the Radcliffe Line as Indian tomato farmers have been deprived of a lucrative seasonalexport income. But curries across Pakistan continue to suffer as they await consignments from Balochistan and Sindh. It is time to consider specific subcontinental Curry Trade Agreements (CTAs) to guard against price rise and seasonal fluctuations of availability.