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Karachi, the country’s metropolitan city, is known for the sea and entertainment prospects for the people that surround it. However, due to the Defence Housing Authority (DHA)’s recent policy, people are not happy about the future of he locality.
The famous Do Darya on Sea-View, home to dozens of fine-dining restaurants, might be closed for good. Famous places like Kababjees, Kolachi, Charcoal and Sajjad also come under the lists of dining places that may no longer be available to Karachiites.
The Do-Darya ‘patti’ as Karachiites call it, the food street, was leased out to restaurant owners for 5 years initially, with prospects of the lease increasing from 20-25 years. However, two years back, DHA had cancelled the leasing policy on which restaurant owners had taken a 2-year stay order from the courts.
With the term finally expiring, restaurant owners are saddened, along with thousands of Karachiites who visit the posh locality every single day. The food street also poses as a tourist attraction, especially for foreigners who visit the city.
“DHA hopes we will vacate the area in about two months but we are fighting. It’s not an easy fight but we are trying. On an average, Rs 250 million has been spent on the property and this investment is not coming back. When we vacate the premises, I can assure you they [DHA] won’t even let us walk away with wooden planks,” a restaurant owner told Dawn.com
The reason DHA is so keen on ending the lease for these restaurants is because the DHA Phase 8 has now become the ‘go-to’ place for investors and realtors. There are prospects of Chinese investment in the area, including high-rise buildings that might present a ‘lavish’ sea-front, giving Karachi an exquisite look.
This is how people on social media reacted to news of Do Darya shutting down
Why the people are not saying anything to save this beautiful do draya in Karachi ,we are having just few places to enjoy and enjoy the beauty of nature in our city …,#SaveDoDarya pic.twitter.com/SfZdJu46Zl
— Hafsa Munir ?? (@HafsaMunir5) April 22, 2018
Check out the rubble and wreck caused at #DoDarya as Karachi’s pride is flattened to the ground
Do you want this? #SaveDoDarya pic.twitter.com/Ut1k1q9Z6b
— Amber Zulfiqar (@Cheese_Pakora) April 21, 2018
Stand up karachiites to save the pride of Karachi.#SaveDoDarya
— Sami W. Alvi (@sami_waseem) April 23, 2018
All the food chains are shutting down at Do Darya because DHA apparently wants to reclaim land and build high rises after Ramadan.#SaveDoDarya
— Aneeqa♔ (@shimmerxglimmer) April 20, 2018
This city has so few places that our huge population can go to for a bit of leisure, Peace and fine dining that is our own, where we can take visitors. It’s unfair to shut it down. #SaveDoDarya #Karachi #DHA
— jehan_ara (@jehan_ara) April 24, 2018
We’re doing our all effort to #SaveDoDarya by sending letter to the officials of Sindh govt & head of @MediaCellPPP. Its your time to knock the door of Bilawar House, CM house, Gov House & ask them to do some effort.
— Tweeterist (@Tweeterist_) April 23, 2018
