Hotel owners warn they will block major roads in Karachi unless sealed hotels reopen within 24 hours. The demand comes from the All Sindh Hotel & Restaurant Grand Association amid claims of “encroachment”-based closures.
All Sindh Hotel & Restaurant Grand Association (ASHRGA) chairman Noor‑ul‑Haq demanded that hotels sealed under urgency of “tavajju’aat” be reopened unconditionally within 24 hours. He addressed reporters outside Karachi Press Club on Wednesday evening and held a press conference inside the club earlier.
He warned that if their demands are not met, hotel owners will block all entry and exit routes of the city, including the National Highway, Super Highway and Hub Road. A large crowd of hotel owners gathered outside the Press Club and disrupted traffic by occupying both lanes.
Noor-ul-Haq directed his message to the Syed Murad Ali Shah (Chief Minister of Sindh), the Kamran Tessori (Governor of Sindh), the Chief Secretary, and Rashid Khan (Commissioner Karachi) demanding the immediate reopening of all sealed hotels without conditions. He stated their demands are legitimate and non-negotiable.
Representatives of Jamiat Ulema‑e‑Islam (F) Karachi, including Maulana Ghiyas, joined in solidarity with the hotel owners. The protest signals escalating tension between the hotel sector and the Sindh administration over the issue of encroachments and business closures.
The hotel industry in Karachi says they face unfair closures under “tavajju’aat” claims. If they follow through on blocking key highways, traffic and business disruption will rise. The province must respond quickly to avoid wider economic fallout.
