Bus stands across various cities, including Lahore, were shut down on Saturday ahead of the PTI protest scheduled for Sunday, leaving passengers stranded and worried due to the lack of public transport.
The closure follows the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call for a protest in Islamabad, prompting authorities to restrict transportation services to and from the capital.
Pakistan Bus Owners Association Chairman Asmatullah Niazi expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing that transporters are apolitical and their livelihood depends on uninterrupted operations. “We are transporters, not affiliated with any political party. We promise the government that no public transport will facilitate the Islamabad sit-in,” he stated during a press conference in Lahore.
Niazi highlighted the plight of daily wage earners and workers connected to the transport industry. “Thousands of workers have become unemployed due to the closure of bus stands. Transport services should be restored to cities other than Islamabad,” he urged, suggesting the formulation of SOPs and permission to work according to them.
"We just want our business to continue," he urged. Transporters reiterated their neutrality, stressing that their demand is solely to keep their businesses operational.
“We are businessmen, and we only want our work to continue. Whichever government comes, we support stability and the ability to earn a livelihood,” Niazi added.
In Lahore, Metro bus services have been partially suspended. According to Manager Operations Uzair Shah, the Metro bus is only running between Gajjumata and MAO College and will remain restricted throughout the day.
