Drivers reject ban on plying rickshaws on Metro route

While raising ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogans at Vehari Chowk in Multan on Wednesday, enraged protesters blocked main road

MULTAN: Hundreds of rickshaw drivers staged a protest demonstration against the government for imposing a ban on plying rickshaws on roads parallel to the route of metro bus service.

While raising ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogans at Vehari Chowk in Multan on Wednesday, enraged protesters blocked the main road for hours resulting in a massive traffic jam. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands

While speaking to The Express Tribune, a rickshaw driver Shahbaz said the government imposed a ban on plying rickshaws on all roads linked to the metro route.

Another rickshaw driver Asghar said the police fined him Rs1,000 for driving a rickshaw on the route of the  metro bus. He added hundreds of rickshaw drivers were fined and detained at different police stations over the issue.

The protesters threatened that they would hold a protest on October 29 in front of chief minister’s house if their demands were not met.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Gillani assured the protesters that their demands would be conveyed to the higher authorities and soon the ban would be removed. After the assurance, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2016.