By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo, President FPCCI, has said with deep concern that the restaurant industry is in dire need of government support and facilitation as it is severely affected after its operations are forced shut and sales and revenues have been almost wiped out due to COVID-19.
Mr. Babar Nehal, Chairman All Pakistan Restaurants Association (APRA), has maintained that Corona does not spread by restaurants as the restaurant industry was only allowed to operate with only 50% seating capacity and that too under very strict SOPs. He said that – under current circumstances – the restaurant industry has reached to a point where it can not survive and break-even without being allowed to resume dining services.
Mr. Waqas Azeem, Convener FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Restaurants noted that the government has not yet provided any relief or support to the restaurant industry of the country; instead there are widespread reports that various departments are extorting money through bribes from restaurants in the name of enforcing SOPs – which is proving to be a double whammy.
Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo has demanded that input and feedback should be taken from the restaurant industry players and stakeholders through a consultative process before announcing and forcing any restrictions – and, dine-in must be re-opened with immediate effect.
