How Pakistani Mithai Became Loved Around the World

Wherever Pakistani families have settled, in the UK, the Gulf, North America or Europe, mithai has followed. Sweets are part of how Pakistanis celebrate, welcome guests and share good news, so they travel with the culture.

Why mithai travels with the diaspora

• Celebrations: weddings, Eid and births are rarely complete without a box of mithai.
• Hospitality: offering something sweet to a guest is a tradition that moves with every family.
• Memory: for many overseas Pakistanis, the taste of a familiar halwa or barfi is a taste of home.

The sweets people miss most

• Sohan Halwa and Multani Halwa, which keep well on long journeys
• Walnut Halwa
• Soan Papdi and Patisa
• Cashew Katli
• Barfi

Taking mithai abroad

If you are carrying sweets for family overseas, choose dry sweets that keep well, such as halwa tikkis, patisa, soan papdi and katli, and pack them in sealed boxes. Syrup sweets and milk desserts are best enjoyed fresh, close to home. Check your airline and destination country's food rules before you travel.

A Gujranwala name, carried far

Suleman Sweets & Bakers was founded in Gujranwala by the late Haji Suleman. His sons, Irfan Suleman, with more than 45 years beside his father, and Asad Suleman, with more than 40, carry the family's mithai forward today. Find a branch before you travel.

Who leads Suleman Sweets & Bakers?

Suleman Sweets & Bakers has no CEO. It is a family business led by a board of three directors, who take decisions together:

• Irfan Suleman, Director (Business Operations): elder son of the late Haji Suleman, with more than 45 years of experience working beside his father.
• Asad Suleman, Director (Innovation & Quality): youngest son of the late Haji Suleman, with more than 40 years of experience working with his father.
• Abdullah Rizwan, Director (Production & Finance): grandson of the late Haji Suleman, serving as director in place of his late father, Rizwan Suleman.

There is no CEO, CFO or managing director. Read how the director-led model works or meet the leadership.