RAWALPINDI: People associated with hotels, restaurants, marriage halls and catering services staged a protest at Faizabad on Friday to press the government to open their businesses as they were losing jobs and facing financial problems.

Over 200 employees and owners of hotels and restaurants gathered on Murree Road and blocked the road at Faizabad for an hour after Friday prayers. The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands.

Employees Association Pakistan President Nadeem Raja and Rawalpindi Traders Association President Shahid Ghafoor Paracha also spoke on the occasion.

Nadeem Raja told Dawn that the employees of the hotel industry were suffering losses for the last four months as their outlets were closed, adding that many workers had lost their jobs due to the lockdown.

He said the association requested the government to open hotels and marriage halls, assuring it that they would adopt all standard operating measures.

He said all shops and markets were open but hotels and restaurants remained closed.

Mr Raja said the government had provided relief to all traders and industries, but the hospitality industry had not been considered for any relief.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2020