ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Hotels and Restaurants Association on Saturday threatened to launch countrywide protest if the government did not allow restaurants to dine in and make their business fully functional by following the SOPs.

In a virtual session of the action committee of the association presided over by its chairman Mumtaz Ahmad, the meeting expressed serious concern over the government’s decision to continue ban on dine in facility at restaurants till Feb 28.

The action committee said if other businesses were allowed to operate, it would be unjust and cruel on part of the government to keep the ban on dine in facility at restaurants.

The continued ban on restaurants had virtually ruined their business and most of the small restaurants have closed their business or at the verge of closure.

They demanded of the National Command Operation Center (NCOC) to immediately lift the restriction on dine in facility otherwise the hotels and restaurant owners would be left with no choice but to come on roads.

The virtual session of the action committee was also addressed by All Pakistan Anjuman Tajaran President Ajmal Baloch, who extended complete support to restaurants in getting the their business fully operational.

The association General Secretary Ch Mohammad Farooq said if the government had allowed reopening of schools and transports as per routine, the restriction on hotels and restaurants should also be listed as they are more ventilated and capable of ensuring social distancing.

He said thousands of workers would lose jobs if the industry was kept closed indefinitely.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2021