"What’s next – banning Urdu too?”
A Pakistani restaurant allegedly denied entry to a man wearing a shalwar kameez, triggering national outrage.
The restaurant is reportedly located in Karachi’s upscale DHA.
The lawyer Abdul Latif alleged that staff at a private fine-dining spot refused him service and mocked his clothing.
The incident occurred on May 18, 2025, when Abdul arrived with friends and was told food service was unavailable due to his attire.
He claimed a waiter stopped them at the door, and the manager later called their traditional clothing “cheap dressing”.
According to Abdul, the manager also warned he would be forcibly removed if he created a scene inside the restaurant.
Following the incident, Abdul Latif issued a legal notice to the establishment but received no response from its management.
He has since filed a case with the Consumer Court, demanding accountability for what he called open humiliation and class-based discrimination.
In his complaint, Abdul said a staff member also taunted him by saying:
“Shalwar kameez is for poor people. We don’t serve pendu (unsophisticated) types.”
The case quickly gained online attention, sparking widespread anger on social media platforms and from public figures.
Many accused the restaurant of cultural elitism and contempt for the national dress of Pakistan.
Multiple Pakistani celebrities have come forward and condemned the restaurant.
The actor Yasir Hussain responded to the incident, saying:
“There’s an increasing bias against shalwar kameez at clubs and fine dining spots.
“Everyone wants to look like a foreigner now. What’s next – banning Urdu too?”
The actress Mishi Khan also posted a video online, where she called the event deeply shameful and insulting.
She said: “This is a national dress worn by every Pakistani, rich or poor. To call it backwards is disgusting.
“It’s DHA Karachi — not Switzerland. Stop pretending.”
The actress also promised to name the restaurant publicly after verifying details and encouraged citizens to boycott discriminatory places.
The restaurant in question has not issued any formal apology or clarification as of now.
No hearing date has been publicly announced, but the case has been accepted by the Consumer Court for review.
For many, this incident is more than just a dress code issue — it reflects a larger trend of class-based bias.
The shalwar kameez, long a national symbol, continues to face unjust scrutiny in spaces claiming to be “modern” or “exclusive”.
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