RAWALPINDI: Muhammad Farooq Chaudhry, President of the Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association, has called on the Punjab Chief Minister to extend restaurant dine-in hours until midnight during the summer season. He advocated for the principle of "let business run, let the stove burn," stating that the move would facilitate the public and help alleviate financial pressure on the food service industry.
Current Policy Creates Inconvenience
Chaudhry explained that in summer, Maghrib prayers are offered around 7:30 PM, after which families typically leave their homes around 8 PM and reach restaurants by approximately 8:30 PM. Under the current policy, dine-in operations must close at 10 PM, and new entry is stopped around 9:15 PM. This creates significant inconvenience for customers and negatively impacts business activity.
Financial Strain on the Industry
The association president noted that the restaurant, hotel, catering, sweets, and bakery sectors are currently under severe financial strain, despite being major sources of employment for millions and significant contributors to government tax revenue. He emphasized that thousands of workers, including waiters, kitchen staff, helpers, security guards, and sanitation workers, depend on this industry for their livelihood.
Extending hours would not only benefit businesses but also support the workforce that relies on the industry's stability. The association hopes the government will consider the proposal to boost economic activity and public convenience during the summer months.
