RAWALPINDI: The Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association of Rawalpindi Pakistan has urged the government and the district administration to protect food businesses from unnecessary closures, road blockades and restrictions on public access during the ongoing protest activities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
RRCSBA President Mohammad Farooq Chaudhry said restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops and catering businesses were already facing severe financial difficulties due to rising utility bills, inflation, higher raw material prices and increasing labour costs.
He said disruptions to traffic and restrictions on access to commercial areas were further aggravating the problems faced by the food industry, which depended on regular customer visits and daily operations.
“Food businesses operate on a daily basis, and any disruption directly affects not only business owners but also chefs, waiters, drivers, delivery riders and daily-wage workers,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry urged the government and the administration to take measures to minimise the economic impact of protests on businesses and workers associated with the food sector.
Chairman Mumtaz Ahmad and Patron-in-Chief Chaudhry Mohammad Naeem said the business community could no longer afford additional losses caused by road closures, restricted access and disruptions to commercial activities.
They called upon the administration to ensure effective traffic management and provide alternative routes to facilitate the movement of customers, employees and delivery services during protest-related disruptions.
The association’s office-bearers stressed the need for continued access to commercial areas while maintaining law and order, saying that unnecessary restrictions could further damage businesses already struggling with rising operational costs.
They urged the authorities to consult representatives of the business community and adopt arrangements that would ensure public safety without bringing commercial activities to a standstill.
Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2026
