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KARACHI: The Do Darya food street set up along the city’s coastline is on the verge of closure to pave the way for some upcoming high-end, seafront residential and commercial projects in Defence Phase VIII.
With hashtags #DoDarya, #SaveDoDarya doing rounds on social media, many citizens seem totally dejected at the idea of losing this scenic location to upscale developments.
Unlike the food streets in other parts of the city, the 1.5-kilometre-long food street offers a fine dining experience along with cooling sea breeze and scenic views and attracts visitors from all over Karachi and many foreigners.
Around 10 years ago, this barren area was notorious for drugs and other crimes. People feared to venture on this side and those who had bought plots in Phase VIII often dreaded the decision.
However, the investors who leased the spots at Do Darya took the risk and set up their food outlets in an outdoor setting. The concept took off and there was no looking back.
A Do Darya restaurateur said: “This place was barren. We were given a lease for five years [by the Defence Housing Authority]. We were given the assurance that it would be extended for another 20-25 years. We made sure to set up the place, bring value to the area and have thousands of people coming in every weekend.
“DHA had informed us that the lease would not be renewed, so we filed a case against them in 2014 and got a stay order ... the tenure of that stay order is set to finish in about two months,” he said, requesting anonymity.
‘Not an easy fight’
“DHA hopes we will vacate the area in about two months but we are fighting. It’s not an easy fight but we are trying,” the restaurant owner said, adding: “On an average, Rs250 million has been spent on the property and this investment is not coming back. When we vacate the premises, I can assure you they [DHA] won’t even let us walk away with wooden planks.”
The area offers employment to around 5,000 workers, including cooks, guards, waiters and valets.
A source said that the DHA had already taken over a number of establishments in the vicinity and posted its guards there.
A visit to the locality shows that some restaurants have shut down, with vehicles of DHA Vigilance patrolling the section.
A spokesman for the DHA was not available for comments when contacted.
Expensive properties in the offing
“The plots belong to the Army Sports Club and Navy Sports Club while the other pieces of land have been earmarked for Chinese investors who plan to build high-end, seafront properties,” said a realtor.
Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2018
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Comments (64) Closed
Apr 24, 2018 01:19pm
Every powerful person and department in karachi has eyes on real estate.
Free entertainment for karachiites has simply vanished and no one is doing anything about it.
Shame on these people.
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Apr 24, 2018 01:27pm
Its one of the most fantastic area to visit. You have the chance to sit and relax with great food and serenity of river. How can it be vanished to high rise buildings?
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Apr 24, 2018 01:36pm
I think these Restaurant owners are not stupid to spent so much amount to develop the property, they should have knew that they have to vacate. Or they must have been fooled by the DHA people.
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Apr 24, 2018 02:28pm
The full-scale infrastructure development of this coastline is necessary so as to enhance the overall image of Pakistan. The owners of those restaurants which are closing down should be compensated accordingly.
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Apr 24, 2018 02:35pm
Perhaps the only neat clean visiting place in Karachi
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Apr 24, 2018 02:44pm
What ever is happening in Urban Sindh is based on "ism" only. This city was booming and progressing under the leadership of General Parvaiz Musharraf. This city had the same mandate of the most loved political party of Urban Sindh. Hence it has been proved time and time again that issue is not with the mandate. The issue is with the "ism" against that mandate.
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Apr 24, 2018 02:56pm
People who have no stakes or mandate in Karachi has systematically taken over the city by marginalizing the masses and genuine mandate of Urban Sindh. Why don't we just simply rename Karachi to Bahria Town. Lets do it once and for all rather then hurting Karachites feelings everyday.
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Apr 24, 2018 03:04pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan There is no one strong like AH to raise voice for Mohajirs
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Apr 24, 2018 03:36pm
stupid decision. They say " if its not broke don't fix it " . Closing down thriving enterprises- reeks of selfish interests and greed by DHA. Should be challenged in the court.
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Apr 24, 2018 03:37pm
Property belongs to DHA, its not for the restaurant encroachers ....if they dont follow court orders, they should be moved forcefully . .
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Apr 24, 2018 03:42pm
DHA needs money..It's Simple
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Apr 24, 2018 04:05pm
The first dhabba that opened illegally but with a blessing belonged to a Col (R) who worked in DHA. This allowed others to seek permission and open. Unfortunately when real estate are being planned, parks, places of interest, entertainment, open spaces are totally ignored, and this is the case of all DHA
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Apr 24, 2018 04:08pm
Karachi needs to save its public and private social spaces from becoming guarded colonies for the ultra rich.
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Apr 24, 2018 04:09pm
If they had been given limited lease that is what they have and there is no need if any hue and cry about it. A written contract is all that anyone has a legal right and anything outside the contract as verbal commitment or understanding has no legal value and that also is expressly mentioned in the contracts.
DHA is not obliged to honor anything beyond its contractual terms. Those who believe they were fooled have no one to blame but themselves. Forget any compensation since the spaces were rented, not bought.
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Apr 24, 2018 04:13pm
It is their land, they can do whatever they want with it. Also, the food outlets were damaging the environment by trashing in the sea waters and nearby land.
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Apr 24, 2018 04:17pm
I the lease was for five years then it is five years. vacate, its not your property.
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Apr 24, 2018 04:25pm
Though plan is dejected but Defence Authority may or may not extend the lease....it is not an obligation btw neither compulsion.....they are the land owners
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Apr 24, 2018 04:27pm
well the restaurant owners were thinking they can get away with someone else's land like rest of the karachi illegal settlements. DHA leased their land for specific time now they want it back its as simple as that.
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Apr 24, 2018 04:29pm
When are where all these hurts to feelings of people of Karachi end. Eventually all these injustices to Karachi will erupt in a form no one would like in future.
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Apr 24, 2018 04:37pm
DHA is the biggest land mafia in karachi.The people of karachi have no control on any coast of the city
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Apr 24, 2018 04:54pm
Karachi is an orphan city. The restaurants on do darya were so relaxing and cool. But who cares about karachites and their entertainment. The coastline will be used to build concrete structures earning them billions. Feel helpless
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Apr 24, 2018 04:56pm
Real state in Karachi is off-limits to a salaried man post 2005. Indeed, it is more expensive than Northern Californian neighborhoods.
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Apr 24, 2018 05:22pm
@Shamshad: I agree. What we are currently witnessing in Urban Sindh is all artificial. It is the silence before a storm. Marginalization of masses can be catastrophic for nations. We have not learned anything from our previous mistakes. People are losing interest in current affairs and politics. There is a great sense of deprivation and hopelessness among masses. This is not good for our national interest. I request power centers to revisit their policies for Urban Sindh. Lets work together as a nation with a common goal "Sab Se Pehle Pakistan"
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Apr 24, 2018 05:23pm
Why get rid of an entertainment which is also creating jobs? Why did they allow it in the first place if they had to do this. CJP please take a tonice of this as this is crucial for image of Karachi as most expats I know are boasting about this place in Karachi and it has become a sort of an icon - sad
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Apr 24, 2018 05:27pm
According to law DHA can keep clean them out. If you don’t want to abide by law then anyone can enter your house and take it over.
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Apr 24, 2018 05:52pm
Lease is always for a certain period. We Pakistanis are always habitual of land grabbing. DHA has authority to renew the lease or not.
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Apr 24, 2018 06:30pm
It's DHA they can do anything
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Apr 24, 2018 06:34pm
Bottom line:
The WaterFront has to state of art architect wise. Things has to look modern and beautiful.
But the water front has to be free for every one to enjoy - poor or rich. It is a public property - the view, the tides, swimming, and the sea roar. The beach has to be free along with cheap food options and restrooms for public. Have passion for masses.
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Apr 24, 2018 06:45pm
do darya and their restaurants has been inaccessible and esoteric for majority of poor katachiites hence who cares!!
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Apr 24, 2018 07:12pm
Karachi really lacks green and open spaces. All you see in Karachi is eatery every where. The client of these restaurants at Do Daria pollute the sea by throwing all kinds of plastics and food left overs which is bad for marine life. I hate the Idea of Restaurant over the sea. All restaurants should be moved out of Sea side. Sea shores should also be used as recreational areas. No restaurants, no apartments , no commercial activities. Leave nature as is. Get your hands off our sea shores.
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Apr 24, 2018 07:37pm
Lease was given for 5 years, restaurant owners should have invested wisely. I don't usually support DHA but i think here they are right.
I went there the other day and paid 25k for 8 people, i do not think its a place for poor masses.
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Apr 24, 2018 07:39pm
@Fahim.Ahmed I like your ideology about nature. But what about making nature more amazing and beautiful with your state of the art architect. I call it enhancement of nature.
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Apr 24, 2018 07:44pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan I agree that hopelessness and segregation of people of Karachi from Pakistan is developing and in turn could be fatal. I do not know powerful quarters are aware of the plight or sheer ignorance prevails.
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Apr 24, 2018 10:30pm
There is no reason to believe anyone. Everyone has their own story. Resturant owners should have some thing in writing from the authorities on lease extension, if not, then vacate.
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Apr 24, 2018 11:03pm
The greed for more and more has already destroyed the whole city of Karachi and now this city dwellers favorite is being planned to be pulled down. Well everyone knew one day it is coming because this place was on rent,
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Apr 24, 2018 11:03pm
So you take away the Pakistani people's investments and earmark it for Chinese investors? Seriously? How do these people sleep at night
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Apr 24, 2018 11:04pm
@Umar Makhdumi The most scenic coastlines in the world are without tall buildings.
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Apr 24, 2018 11:09pm
i believe that given the business they had these restaurants may also have the ability to buy the land.
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Apr 24, 2018 11:16pm
@Murtaza Mandviwala Given the at least two restaurant we visited last October and then again in December while visiting Karachi from US I think, according to my assessment at least around 2000 direct jobs will be lost.
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Apr 24, 2018 11:46pm
@Irfan that's exactly what they are saying. They have been fooled.
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Apr 25, 2018 12:01am
If the karachiites do not protest than Do Darya will go away and replaced by tall buildings.
Citizens of Karachi get out from your comfortable homes and protest. This should not happen. The place where artistes play and citizens have fun cannot be destroyed.
If you let it happen and you do not demonstrate than you should not complain.
For once demonstrate for what you believe in.
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Apr 25, 2018 12:20am
Better this luxury for rich goes.
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Apr 25, 2018 12:25am
DHA is definitely not a land mafia. It is the most organized housing place in this city of land dacoits and land murderers. DHA Karachi is world famous for its upkeep of the place. Except for some of the commercial areas.
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Apr 25, 2018 01:28am
Something will be left for civilians?
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Apr 25, 2018 01:56am
Leasing the land is not as "Owning it" one can always find a clause and cancel the lease.There is always a way out for both parties....... If this restaurant was a flop I doubt they would be sticking around to meet the terms and condition of the lease. if the restaurants are doing so good they should just move up and buy the land in Phase 9 .. People who know the place or wants to visit do Darya will visit it regardless. On the other hand there should be a authority to overlook DHA as well.. They are issuing permits to build almost anything ,, anywhere now day without any planning.
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Apr 25, 2018 02:37am
After reading this article I got excited and then looked Defence Phase VIII in google map especially the extended phase. I was totally shocked to see the extension touching the sea. They literally destroyed miles long sand beach for developments. I have not seen this kind of planning. I am clueless. They are suppose to preserve beaches rather than destroying them. Rest of Defence Phase VIII looks great. Extended one no good.
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Apr 25, 2018 03:51am
Do Daraya had come up as an excellent restaurant complex and a pictursaque place for outing for Karachites.But DHA is not interested in the pleasure,fun and frolics of the people of Karachi.Rumour is rife that DHA is doling out this recreation place to builders to make it a jungle of concrete.A reputed land grabber has already stolen the originality of land marks of Clifton by crooked method.I appeal to Chief Justice of Sindh to take Suo motto action and prevent DHA from destroying the innocent source of pleasure of the people of Karachi.
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Apr 25, 2018 04:07am
Mixed real estate development consisting of commercial, retail, and residential high rises is the answer to this location. The restaurants are clearly an under-utilization of this great location. We can have residential/commercial office on the top floors and continuation of sea-side restaurants on the ground level. Nothing changes.
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Apr 25, 2018 04:45am
@miraaj What is fantastic about it? A strip by the seaside.
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Apr 25, 2018 05:37am
Because Chinese investors want to build high-end seafront properties. Chinese are the priority now
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Apr 25, 2018 06:35am
No construction should be allowed at this location.
A sea front walk should be built for the citizen of the city.
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Apr 25, 2018 07:07am
@miraaj for your general knowledge it's not a river but a sea instead. Hope you know the difference.
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Apr 25, 2018 07:20am
Can't wait to buy one of those luxury sea facing villas with direct access to beach area and other amenities. Great thinking by the authorities as those restaurants were just dumping their trash in the sea and making the sea more polluted by the day. Looking forward to seeing this happen soon. These projects would bring an economic boom to the area like never seen before. People saying negative things and having reservations on this project are food hungry fools who have nothing better and positive to think about but food and food only. Please broaden your horizons and think outside the box for a change.
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Apr 25, 2018 07:52am
These restaurants should file a civil case in court against the Government, and hope the court has power to make orders and be fair.
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Apr 25, 2018 11:17am
Every other construction project in that area is on hold, either due to funding issues or that there are no buyers. There are unfinished structures older than 15 years.
Don't know what DHA will achieve by starting more of the same projects which will remain incompleted for decades to come.
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Apr 25, 2018 11:42am
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Unfortunately the city under Musharraf also saw an explosion of dacoities all over the city. That wasnt much fun.
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Apr 25, 2018 11:46am
@Noman Majeed Yes but look at the prices - they charge at least three times. Now that the lease is over they can use their profits to develop some other area like in Clifton or in Korangi -- both areas are on the sea coast and nearby Do Darya.
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Apr 25, 2018 04:22pm
@ Syed Zafar Kazmi U.S.A this is a sensible adivce in a civilized society.
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Apr 25, 2018 05:23pm
Do Darya is not for avg Pakistani, Dinner for two would easily cost 50 US dollars. This is a problem for elites, let them fix it; by the way these so called DHS elites are still using tankers for water, so don't expect any solutions from them. Melanchaly situation.
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Apr 25, 2018 05:24pm
When you write comment I will suggest seeing Defence Phase VIII project in google map. Just have a glimpse of it especially the beach going all the way to Clifton. Honestly that several miles long beach has to be preserved for free access to all. They can build any kind of developments (skyscrapers) in the other side of the beach road. It will look like some of the beaches that I have seen in Florida, US. Such as Miami beach. Lot of potential.
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Apr 25, 2018 09:10pm
People must protest.Common you karachites.You need to fight to preserve good things.
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Apr 26, 2018 12:55am
@miraaj Yep, and how many people can afford a plate for US$12-15.
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Apr 26, 2018 04:22am
Why DHA getting all civilian land? are they land mafia?
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Apr 26, 2018 07:08am
DHA is right, the land was leased for fix 5 years
besides it's not good place for eating. It has
bad smell and stinks.
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