Rawalpindi Food Businesses Demand Protection From Protest Disruptions

News Desk
RAWALPINDI: The Restaurants, Caterers, Sweets and Bakers Association (RRCSBA) has formally urged the government and district administration to shield local food enterprises from unnecessary closures, road blockades, and public access restrictions amid ongoing political protests in the twin cities.
RRCSBA President Mohammad Farooq Chaudhry highlighted that dining establishments, bakeries, and catering services are already grappling with severe financial strain due to soaring utility bills, persistent inflation, and escalating labor costs.
He stressed that arbitrary traffic disruptions and commercial area lockdowns severely choke daily operations, which are the lifeblood of the hospitality sector.
Industry stakeholders warn that the compounding economic fallout extends far beyond business owners, directly threatening the livelihoods of vulnerable daily-wage earners, including chefs, waiters, delivery riders, and kitchen staff.
The association maintains that while political assemblies are a democratic right, they must not come at the cost of crippling essential commercial activities and local supply chains.
The association has appealed to regional authorities to formulate standardized protocols ensuring uninterrupted access to commercial zones during demonstrations. Representatives are expected to hold formal consultations with district administration officials in the coming days to propose mitigation strategies that balance public security with commercial viability.