Palla پالہ
Hilsa · Clupeidae
Halal · Ja'fari fiqh
Rs 2000 per kg
harbour wholesale · 2026-08-10 · recorded 44 days ago
Source: presenter video, single-vendor morning rate
FAO Species Identification Sheets for Fishery Purposes, Fishing Area 51 (Western Indian Ocean), 1983
Scales always cycloid (smooth to touch), but often shed rather easily; no lateral line.
https://www.fao.org/docrep/pdf/009/ad468e/ad468eCR.pdf
Fiqh basis: Sistani (only scaled fish + shrimp); Khamenei ('only scaled fish, shrimp and some sea birds are Halal. The rest are Haram'); Khomeini (partial scales suffice)
Palla at a glance
| English name | Hilsa |
|---|---|
| Urdu name | پالہ |
| Scientific family | Clupeidae |
| Scales | True scales, smooth |
| Bones | Very bony |
| Taste | Excellent |
| Typical weight | ~250–350 g (small 150–200 g) |
| Best for | Curry (traditional Sindhi Pallo Machi) / Fry |
| Also sold as | Pallo, پلا, پلو, Ilish |
Common questions
Is Palla halal?
Under Ja'fari (Shia) fiqh, Palla is halal. True scales, smooth. Ja'fari fiqh requires a fish to have true scales; most Sunni schools do not, so this verdict is specific to Ja'fari fiqh.
What is Palla called in English?
Palla (پالہ) is called Hilsa in English. It is also sold as Pallo, پلا, پلو, Ilish.
What is the price of Palla in Karachi?
Rs 2000 per kg (harbour wholesale), from 2026-08-10 — recorded 44 days ago.
Does Palla have a lot of bones?
Very bony.