Restaurant owners in Rawalpindi have called on the government to restore dine-in timings until 1:00 AM, saying the current restrictions are squeezing an already fragile food sector and putting millions of livelihoods at risk.
In a joint statement, Muhammad Farooq Chaudhry, president of the Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets & Bakers Association Pakistan, said the demand for restaurant hours restoration is urgent because the industry supports a wide network of workers, including waiters, chefs, kitchen staff, delivery riders, cleaners and students who depend on part-time jobs to meet education and household expenses.
He said takeaway sales alone cannot keep the business afloat, especially for traditional Pakistani food where dine-in customers make up a major share of revenue. According to him, the impact is even more severe during the summer season, when most restaurant activity shifts to late evening hours after temperatures begin to ease.
Association Chairman Mumtaz Ahmed said shorter operating hours are cutting revenues sharply and creating pressure on families that rely on restaurant wages, particularly students trying to continue their education while working. Patron-in-Chief Chaudhry Muhammad Naeem added that the sector has still not recovered from the losses and debt accumulated during the COVID-19 period.
The association warned that if the restrictions continue, more businesses could shut down, unemployment could rise, investment may slow and tax collection could take a further hit. It urged policymakers to consider ground realities and seasonal demand before making decisions that affect one of the country’s most labor-intensive industries.
Calling for immediate relief, the association said restaurant hours restoration would help protect jobs, support small and medium businesses and keep thousands of families financially secure. It appealed to the government to allow restaurants to remain open for dine-in service until 1:00 AM so workers and business owners can continue earning a dignified livelihood.
