RAWALPINDI: Metro Bus service between the twin cities was suspended after employees staged a protest against terminations and non-payment of salaries, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
According to protesting workers, the Metro Bus administration has dismissed around 150 to 200 employees without any prior notice and has also failed to pay their salaries for the past two months. The employees said the termination process has been ongoing since May 1.
The protest escalated when dismissed staff gathered at the IJP Metro Bus Station and later blocked the Metro track, raising slogans against the management. Women employees also joined the demonstration, bringing operations to a complete halt.
Authorities deployed heavy police contingents at IJP and Ninth Avenue stations to manage the situation, while several buses were parked near the terminal as services remained suspended.
The protesters claimed that the contract for Metro Bus operations had been awarded to a new company, which replaced old staff despite their contracts being valid until 2027. Many affected employees said they had been serving in the system for 8 to 10 years.
The protesters have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the situation, saying sudden job losses during rising inflation have created severe hardship for workers and their families.
