KARACHI: Karachi’s Sindhi Muslim Food Walk, developed as a recreational and dining destination, has come under scrutiny following claims that visitors are being asked to pay Rs600 simply to sit on a chair, even if they do not order any food or drinks.
Speaking to Geo Digital, restaurant staff claimed that the amount was charged for the use of tables and chairs and described it as a monthly fee collected from restaurants by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the Town Municipal Corporation (TMC).
However, TMC Chaneser Town has denied collecting any such charges. The administration clarified that neither the town administration nor KMC collects fees from restaurants for using the food walk area. It also urged citizens to submit written complaints or photographs if any restaurant demands additional payments.
Meanwhile, social media users have expressed concern over the alleged Rs600 seating charges. One user questioned how middle-class families who cannot afford additional expenses would be able to enjoy the recreational facility.
An anonymous source also alleged that traders were being pressured to enter into agreements with the town administration for installing advertising boards at the food walk. The source further claimed that some restaurants had experienced a decline in sales since the project’s inauguration, partly due to parking-related problems.
Residents have also raised concerns over traffic congestion. Ghulam Hassan, a resident of PECHS, said that changes to the food street had resulted in increased traffic spilling into nearby streets. He also expressed security concerns following reports of mobile phone thefts.
The food walk, intended to provide a recreational space for citizens, is now facing questions over alleged seating charges, business concerns, traffic congestion and security issues.
