Karachi’s New Food Walk is Charging People Money Just for Sitting

Karachi’s new Sindhi Muslim Food Walk is reportedly charging visitors Rs. 600 for sitting on restaurant chairs without ordering food or drinks. Visitors have claimed they are being asked to pay this fee, which restaurants claim covers monthly fees collected by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the relevant Town Municipal Corporation (TMC) for the use of tables and chairs.

The furniture has been placed along a revamped pathway designed for pedestrians and outdoor dining. However, the Town Administration has denied collecting any fees from restaurants for using the space, requesting citizens to submit written complaints or photos identifying restaurants demanding payment. Some visitors have expressed concern that the Rs.

600 charge could discourage middle-class families from visiting the public space due to additional spending on food and drinks. Business owners have also reported lower sales since the food walk opened, partially due to parking arrangements. The project is said to have drawn inspiration from streets in New York and Türkiye, with some traders facing pressure to sign agreements with the town administration to install billboards along the walk.

Traders have also cited increased traffic congestion as a contributing factor to their sales decline. The redevelopment has led to increased traffic in surrounding residential streets, causing residents to experience congestion and security concerns, including reports of mobile phone thefts during the opening event.