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You can also find it in the international section of grocery stores in Canada, in Toronto.
From its inception to its rise as a cultural sensation, this video uncovers the intriguing story behind Pakistan's first and oldest cola brand 'Pakola'.
We explore how Pakola emerged as a symbol of national pride, the visionary minds behind its idea, and a nostalgic taste of childhood for millions of Pakistanis.
You haven't lived until you have tired Pakola Milkshake:
RC Cola is a budget cola still sold in the U.S. super markets.
Street food is the best, you kind of pick up hints on where to eat. Some places you avoid even if you are a local due to hygiene and style of cooking.When I grew up in Karachi we used to eat street food all the time. It’s been decades since I left Pakistan and have lost any immunity to germs. Unfortunately, now when I visit Pakistan I cannot eat or drink stuff like that. I would get sick as a dog.
I suck at business things.
What is the difference here between Mehran Bottlers, Pakistan Beverages, Pakola, and who does this guy represent? Are they just owned by the same people but under different names?
It looks pretty big, at least bigger than I imagined. Also more humble beginnings than I imagined.
RC cola was very popular in Pakistan at one point.It’s sodaof choice for poorer folks.
I do that with Shezan Mango juiceI used to buy cases of Pakola cans and drink it every day, but then stopped because of the calories. Last time I had it was a couple of weeks ago at a restaurant. It goes well with karahi gosht.
They probably own one company that owns the copyrights for Pakola. Then they have different companies that have a license to bottle and sell Pakola.
Similarly, most independently owned Coca Cola bottlers have a license from the main Coca Cola company. The company supplies the bottlers with premixed syrup and they bottle it. It’s like a franchise.
So Pakola franchises out to this guy?
Who owns Pakola then?
This guy being interviewed, Zeeshan Habib, owns Pakola. His grandfather started the company, getting the formula from a street vendor. They were seven brothers.
They started producing Pakola in 1950. In the 1960s they moved to SITE industrial area and formed a new company, Pakistan Beverage Limited, to produce Pakola.
In 1979 they got a franchise from Pepsi but Pepsi did not allow them to produce Pakola. So Pakistan Beverage Limited produced Pepsi and they started a new company, Mehran Bottlers, to bottle Pakola.
Therefore, the main company that owns and makes Pakola is Mehran Bottlers.
Today, they have factories in Karachi and Faisalabad that bottle Pakola. They also bottle brands from other companies, like Aquafina, Nestle etc.
He also mentioned other companies and factories. Only the one in Sukker is still running as a franchisee.
Gul Bottlers, Sukkur, Leghari family (Running)
Sindh Beverage, Hyderabad (Closed)
Factory, Islamabad, 1990s (Closed)
Factory, Lahore (Closed)
It’s sodaof choice for poorer folks.