Islamabad: La Maison Restaurant in Islamabad raided by police and illegal liqueur confiscated, reports Pakistani electronic media. It is reported French owner Philippe Lafforgue of La Maison, Marvi Road, F-7/1 ran away when police raided his restaurant.
“La Maison” in Islamabad, requires customers to provide information such as an individual’s nationality and passport number because it was serving non-Hilal food but there was a huge campaign against this restaurant since January 2, 2014.
The restaurant started its operations at Marvi Road of sector F-7/1. It came into limelight after allegedly it banned entry of Pakistanis.
Owner Philippe Lafforgue argues that the restaurant’s policy only intends to respect Muslim traditions because the menu contains food that is not halal, or permissible in Islam. Although alcohol is prohibited by Islam, the restaurant allows the employment of Pakistani bartenders. Lafforgue adds that his restaurant, which he says is more of a club, is not the only establishment to deny Pakistani customers.
There are as many as 63 restaurants and cafés operating in the residential areas in violation of the land use norms. Alone at sector F-7, where La Maison is located, there are 10 other restaurants and cafés operating. Similarly, some seven restaurants at Sector F-6, 11 at Sector F-8, 11 at Sector G-9 and one each at Sectors F-11, F-10, G-6, G-10, and G-11 are operating in the residential areas. While, there are also a number of restaurants at model villages of Islamabad.
“Pakistani’s Not Allowed” read a plaque on a front wall of the restaurant that was pictured and published in the national media. After people on social media raised the issue, the restaurant administration reportedly removed it.
