Imran Nawab; the famous biryani seller in Jackson Market

In the busy lanes of Jackson Market, Imran Nawab has become a famous name, known for his popular biryani stall and a story shaped by perseverance through years of financial struggle.

Speaking about his journey, Imran recalled that before entering the food business, he endured severe economic hardship while working as a vegetable seller along with his father. Hoping to improve his circumstances, he later took up work cleaning refrigerators and air conditioners, but his financial situation remained unchanged.

A turning point came when two friends, Tariq and Shafiq, who owned a shop in the market, offered him the opportunity to set up a biryani cart outside their shop. With no savings to invest, Imran received Rs50,000 from Tariq to initiate the set up.

Imran said he learned to cook biryani from scratch with guidance from another acquaintance, Kaiser. In the early days, he prepared the dish at home using firewood, but smoke from the stove caused breathing difficulties for one of his special-needs child. To address the problem, he shifted his kitchen to a rented space in the same neighborhood.

Initially, Imran handled every task alone, cooking the biryani, transporting the pot to the cart, serving customers, and washing dishes. As business improved, he gradually hired workers and now employs around 25 people under him.

Recently, he has introduced an offer of unlimited biryani refills for Rs350, which he says significantly increased customers and expanded his business. 

When talking about his success, Imran attributes his achievements solely to the Divine blessings and says his goal is to earn a halal livelihood all his life, seek Allah’s pleasure, and ultimately be rewarded in the hereafter.

Reflecting on his journey, he quoted a verse from the Holy Quran: “Fa inna ma’al usri yusra” — “Surely, with hardship comes ease.” He emphasized that no one should fear hard work, as persistence and determination eventually leads to prosperity.