Operations of the Metro Bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad faced major disruption after employees launched a protest at Pothohar Station against unpaid salaries and alleged forced dismissals.
The protest affected transport services across the twin cities and created difficulties for thousands of passengers who rely on the Metro Bus for daily travel.
Employees Suspend Metro Bus Operations
Protesting workers temporarily suspended the Metro Bus service and gathered on the dedicated bus track while holding placards and chanting slogans against the management.
Employees claimed they had not received salaries for the past two months. Workers said the delay in payments had created serious financial problems, making it difficult for many employees to support their families and manage household expenses.
The protesters stated that repeated requests to management regarding pending salaries had failed to produce any solution.
Workers Accuse Management of Unfair Dismissals
According to the protesting employees, the new company managing the Metro Bus operations violated contractual agreements by removing several workers without proper justification.
Workers alleged that many of the dismissed employees had served in the Metro Bus system for several years before suddenly losing their jobs.
The protesters demanded immediate reinstatement of terminated staff members and payment of all pending salaries. They warned that the demonstration would continue until their concerns were addressed by the authorities.
Protest Creates Problems for Daily Commuters
The suspension of Metro Bus operations caused major inconvenience for commuters traveling between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Large numbers of passengers were left stranded at stations as transport services remained partially suspended during the protest.
Commuters reported long waiting times and severe transport shortages in different areas of the twin cities. Many passengers were forced to seek alternative transportation due to the disruption in Metro Bus operations.
Authorities Urged to Resolve Crisis
Protest leaders said workers were left with no option except to suspend Metro Bus services in order to draw attention to their demands.
They urged the relevant authorities to intervene immediately and resolve the salary and employment issues before the situation worsens further.
Meanwhile, officials attempted to manage traffic and passenger movement during the disruption, but the ongoing protest continued to affect normal Metro Bus operations throughout the day.
Also Read: Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metro Bus Timings Reduced to Save Energy
