All Greater Sindh Hotels and Restaurants Association says around 400 hotels have been sealed by order of the commissioner.
KARACHI:
The Greater Sindh Hotels and Restaurants Association on Wednesday organized a protest against the Karachi Commissionerate’s drive to seal chai dhabas (tea stalls), fast food outlets and barbecue joints across the city during a crackdown on encroachments.
Most dhabas and restaurants in the city remained closed, causing inconvenience to citizens, especially in the early hours, as many struggled to find places to get their morning caffeine fixes.
Members of the association organized a protest in front of the Karachi Press Club, in which a large number of hotel owners and employees participated. The protesters carried banners highlighting their demands and condemning the ongoing operations against restaurants and cafes.
Later, in a press conference, Association President Haji Noor-ul-Haq, President Jafar Shah and Representatives Haji Ramzan and Wali Khan said that there are more than 14,000 chai dhabas in Karachi, each employing more than 10 workers.
Restaurant and hotel owners and workers protest in front of the press club against the closure of chai dhabas, fast food shops and barbecue joints. Photo: Express
They allege that under the orders of the Karachi Commissioner, deputy and assistant commissioners have sealed around 400 outlets in an anti-encroachment operation. “These hotels only sell chai and paratha. Many have been closed for more than a week; this is economic murder,” the leaders said.
They added that encroachments are not limited only to restaurants and cafes, and while actions against encroachments are positive in principle, targeting small establishments harms the poor and middle class who depend on them. The association claimed that authorities not only closed cafes and restaurants, but also confiscated their furniture, appliances and other equipment.
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The association noted that they place chairs and tables outside stores at the last minute, when traffic is light. Furthermore, there have been no public complaints or court petitions against these gathering places that provide a meeting point for people to relax after a stressful day.
With the increasing number of anxiety and depression patients in the city plagued by water, power and gas cuts, broken roads and breakdown of law and order, these dhabas are providing mental relief to citizens, they said.
The association appealed to the CM, chief secretary and commissioner to stop the operation and resolve the issue through negotiations. A meeting with the Karachi Commissioner is scheduled for today (Thursday), which the association hopes will lead to a resolution. “If the issue remains unresolved,” the leaders warned, “we will launch a nationwide protest.”
