Lahore: DHA eateries’ peak cut short by 1am curfew

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Restaurant owners say most of their customers are late-night visitors * Say they should not be punished for police inefficiency
* DHA spokesman says curfew imposed in accordance with government orders

By Afnan Khan

LAHORE: Just when the markets of eateries situated in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) were at the peak of their business, authorities imposed a deadline by which the eateries have to shut down, in order to cope with security threats, locals of the area reported on Wednesday.

These eateries, situated in Sectors H and Y, included restaurants that catered to a wide range of consumer tastes. People from all segments of society, including the lower-middle class as well as the elite, were regular customers at these markets. Each of the outlets had developed their separate clientele by introducing their own special dishes. Just when the competition between them was at its peak, the DHA imposed a curfew, according to which all eateries were strictly banned from serving food after 1am.

Loss of business: Although the eateries are still enjoying an active business, their owners said the curfew had seriously affected their business, as a large number of their customers would visit the eateries late at night. Previously, these restaurants used to serve their customers until dawn.

Hafiz Mushtaq, owner of a paan shop in Sector H market, said he had lost business after the announcement of the curfew. “I had established my clientele from all across the city, and people would even visit my place from the Walled City for two reasons – I provide them paan that they cannot find elsewhere and I operate my business even late at night. Most of my customers were late night visitors, who wanted my paan after attending dinners or marriage ceremonies,” he explained.

Naeem Ahmed, owner of an outlet that is famous for its traditional desi food, said the 1am curfew was a major blow to the traders, who paid hundreds of thousands of rupees in rent every month. “Lahore is not like any other city of Punjab. Lahoris prefer to throng public places and food outlets late at night, as they tend to enjoy nightlife. A vast majority of my customers visited my shop late at night, and I have suffered huge losses due to the imposition of the curfew,” he claimed.

Saif Humayun, resident of Sector P, said he could not eat anything apart from McDonalds and KFC after 1am. “One gets sick of eating the same type of food every day. Before the curfew was imposed, I used to order food from Sector H eateries, but they no longer offer home deliveries after 1am,” he said. The 1am curfew does not prohibit the eateries from delivering food, he said. Mukhtar, owner of a restaurant in Sector H market, said it was not feasible for him to operate it to cater to a few home deliveries. “The cost of running the restaurant and retaining my staff for only a few home deliveries is not feasible. It will cost me much more than I can earn if I offer home deliveries after closure time,” he explained.

Umair Chaudhry, a regular customer of the eateries, said he used to go out to eat at Sector H market late at night, as all of his friends were busy with their own commitments during the day. “I have not eaten at Sector H market for more than a month now, as all outlets close at 1am. Although it is not hard to manage an occasional visit to the market before closure time, I cannot eat the paratha rolls in routine anymore,” he complained.

Security: Owners of the eateries protested that the provision of security was the responsibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies. He said the security threat should not affect businesses that were flourishing in the city. “We work hard to earn our livelihood. Whatever the situation may be, we should not be punished for the inefficiency of the police,” he protested.

Government orders: DHA spokesman Tajamul Hussain told Daily Times the authority was fully aware of the problems of the residents and the restaurant owners. He said the curfew had been imposed in accordance with the instructions issued by the federal government. He said the curfew was for the security of the residents.

“I do not know why people are still operating eateries late at night in other parts of the city. In the wake of the current security threat facing the country, it is our duty to impose curfews if that is what is required to ensure security. We have to abide by the instructions issued to us by the government,” he asserted.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_6