DNA

Karachi: Athar Chawla, Convener of the All Pakistan Restaurant Association (APRA), has expressed deep concern over the lack of drainage system in restaurants across the Karachi during the recent rains, requested to the Sindh government, DHA, CBC and the authorities of concerned departments to ensure immediate drainage to save the restaurant industry from further devastation so that business activities could be resumed.

In a statement, Athar Chawla said that due to recent heavy rains in most parts of Karachi especially Defense, Clifton, PECHS, North Nazimabad, Nagan Chowrangi, Buffer Zone, Haideri, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and other areas. Restaurants in the area are flooded with several feet of rainwater, which has not been taken out so far due to which the food items have deteriorated while the kitchens and furniture of the restaurants have been destroyed.

“Restaurant owners are drainaging rainwater but due to accumulation of several feet of rain outside the restaurants, they are facing difficulties in drainage”, he added that 4 days have passed since the rains stopped but the DHA, CBC and other concerned departments did not make any arrangements for drainage of rainwater from the restaurants. The restaurant industry has lost billions of rupees due to the negligence and incompetence of these institutions

He further said that electric power should be restored in the areas where water has been depleted while financial assistance should be provided to the restaurant industry to minimize the damages caused by the recent torrential rainfalls so that they can get back on their feet. Otherwise, millions of workers are at risk of becoming unemployed.