Published on, Aug. 17 -- August 17, 2025 1:13 AM

The sweet aroma of freshly harvested Dhakki dates has once again filled the orchards of Dera Ismail Khan as the harvesting season for this world-renowned variety gets underway. Known as the pride of the district, Dhakki dates have won worldwide acclaim for their impressive size, thick pulp, and unmatched flavor.

The Dhakki variety, originally cultivated in the Dhakki area of DI Khan, holds the honor of being the first fruit in Pakistan to secure the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) status, officially registered by the Agriculture Research Institute (ARI), Dera Ismail Khan.

Dr. Shahzada Arshad Saleem Saddozai, senior scientist at ARI, praised the relentless efforts of the institut...