After 31 years of cooking for Karachi, Lasania Restaurant has shut down. Since it started in 1993, it has been a community spot for countless families due to its high-quality food and cozy setting. However, like many city businesses, it fell under harsh economic blows that have hit Pakistan in the last few years.
More Than Just A Restaurant
The announcement stirred up a mix of feelings: from longing for the past to anger. To some, Lasania was more than just an eatery – it was a theatre of personal histories. One customer reflected on the loss, sharing that momentous family events like his sister’s nikaah and his nephew’s birthday were held there. To others, the closure signifies something larger: the downfall of business in Karachi, a city previously celebrated for its food culture.
Government and Business Decline
Some blame changes in food preferences and Lasania’s lack of creativity for its failure. However, many believe the Sindh government should have stepped up to help businesses like Lasania keep their doors open. Fans of the restaurant spoke out about thier frustration at the lack of governmental aid, saying, “When regional governments hoard every fund themselves and don’t lend a hand to struggling businesses, this is what you get. ”
Yet, some folks didn’t share this sentimentality. Some stated candidly, “Am I the only person in Karachi who isn’t upset at all? I mean why worry when we have far superior options available. ” This perspective mirrors the rising competition in Karachi’s culinary circle where fresh and stylish spots typically outshine older household names like Lasania.
Closing of Monal Restaurant
Similarly, One of Islamabad’s most iconic dining spots, Monal Restaurant, has finally shut its doors, closing an era for Pakistan’s culinary landscape. However, breathtaking views of the Margalla Hills and the chance to eat a new diversity every day made Monal more than just a restaurant-it was a cultural landmark. Still, despite its importance, it was permanently closed by an order of the Supreme Court in September 2024, which shows the uncaring position of the government for preserving historic popular establishments.
This case is a symbol of the broader, across-the-board problem that faces the restaurant business in Pakistan. Historic eateries, formative elements of the country’s character, are shut down with no care for their tourism and local economies. And though concerns about the environment of the Margalla Hills are valid, the government has not done enough to provide them with alternatives or assistance in relocation. The sad thing about closing Monal is that it stands as a reflection of a state of affairs where commercial and cultural institutions are so often left to fend for themselves, gradually eroding the heritage that makes cities like Islamabad unique.
For Karachiites, the closure of Lasania is yet another painful reminder of the challenges facing the city and its once-vibrant business community. While new restaurants may rise to fill the void, the legacy of Lasania and the memories it created will not be easily forgotten.
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