Food businesses seek protection amid protest restrictions in Rawalpindi

The Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association of Rawalpindi has appealed to the government and district administration to shield food businesses from closures, road blockades, and access restrictions during ongoing protests in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Association President Mohammad Farooq Chaudhry stated that restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and catering services are already grappling with financial strain due to escalating utility bills, inflation, increased raw material costs, and rising labor expenses.

He noted that traffic disruptions and limitations on commercial area access are exacerbating the challenges faced by the food sector, which thrives on regular customer visits and daily operations. Chaudhry emphasized that any disruption directly impacts not only business owners but also chefs, waiters, drivers, delivery riders, and daily-wage workers.

The association's leaders, Chairman Mumtaz Ahmad and Patron-in-Chief Chaudhry Mohammad Naeem, expressed that the business community can no longer bear further losses stemming from road closures, restricted access, and commercial activity disruptions. They called for effective traffic management and provision of alternate routes to ensure customer, employee, and delivery services' smooth movement during protest-related disruptions.

The association stressed the importance of maintaining access to commercial areas while upholding law and order, warning that unnecessary restrictions could inflict additional damage on businesses already struggling with mounting operational costs. They implored authorities to consult business community representatives and implement measures that prioritize public safety without halting commercial activities.