District Central officials allegedly collecting bribes from restaurants, eateries

KARACHI: Restaurants and eateries in Karachi’s Central District have been issued notices against encroachments and instructed to appear before Additional Deputy Commissioner-1.

The notices have been issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner-1 Karachi Central Kamal Hakeem. Sources informed that the notices are a ploy to receive bribes for which a five-member team has been illegally formed.

The owners of restaurants and eateries are summoned to the DMC Central’s offices where these bribes are demanded. In case of failure to pay, the authorities threaten to demolish the front entrance of their outlets or confiscate the items placed outside their establishments. 

This team is being led by the senior clerk to the ADC-1 Irfan Ali who negotiates the bribes with the shopkeepers. Another individual who is working illegally at the DMC Central’s office is an employee of the Bureau of Supply at Sindh government named Shams.

Sources informed that Shams is not a regular employee but part of the team which collects bribes from shopkeepers and eateries. Another unauthorized person named Tauseef, who is not even employed, has been brought to the DMC’s office for the purpose of collecting bribes.

Another member of this team is Nafees Ahmed who was earlier responsible for illegal open-air markets. All these activities are ongoing with the complete knowledge of the ADC-1 who has hired these individuals to collect bribes.

Notices are being issued to restaurants and eateries since Eid-ul-Azha but no action has been taken, implying that bribes are collected. Dozens of eateries including Haji Bismillah Hotel, Ejaz Pakwan, Haji Akhtar Catering were issued notices and forced to make underhand payments ranging between Rs20,-50,000.

The restaurant and eatery owners are issued verbal permission to continue their business. They have demanded Karachi Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Central to take action against the corrupt officers.