Twin cities transport halt leaves thousands jobless

45 transport terminals shut across Pindi, Islamabad; 20,000 transport workers lose livelihoods

RAWALPINDI:

Ongoing stop-start dynamics in Iran–US peace negotiations have led to the complete suspension of major long-route heavy luxury transport services in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the past 12 days, leaving 2,632 bus hostesses entirely unemployed.

Due to non-payment of rent, many bus hostesses in the Pirwadhai area have also been evicted from girls' hostels. Transport companies and bus owners have sent these workers on unpaid leave, telling them they will be called back once terminals reopen.

The closure of approximately 45 small and large transport terminals in the twin cities has also brought associated businesses to a halt. These include goods transport operations, makeshift eateries, tea stalls, and cigarette kiosks within terminal premises.

On a daily basis, around 5,000 small and large public transport vehicles—including buses, vans, Toyota Hiace coaches and luxury vehicles—depart from these terminals, with a similar number arriving.

According to the Transport Federation, between 10,000 and 11,000 vehicles operate in and out of these terminals each day. As a result of the shutdown, nearly 20,000 drivers, conductors and helpers have also lost their livelihoods.

Each transport terminal typically hosts five to ten small stalls selling tea, food, water and cigarettes, along with nearby roadside eateries. All have now closed, leaving their workers unemployed.

The shutdown has also severely affected vehicle workshops, as business has come to a standstill. With vehicles off the roads, repair work has ceased entirely, leaving workshops deserted.

The transport industry and its allied sectors have suffered near-total collapse within just two weeks. Spare parts shops located near terminals have likewise seen their businesses paralysed.

Samina Shoaib, a bus hostess with a private company, said all hostesses were temporarily laid off eight days ago. "Our income largely depends on commission, and our salaries are minimal. We've been told to return home and wait for a call once operations resume," she said.

A resident of Chakwal, she added that the company had also vacated the hostel accommodation previously provided near Pirwadhai. "We are now returning to our hometowns unemployed. Many have already left, and several may not return."

Patron of the Transport Federation, Haji Zahoor Arian, opined that the 12-day closure of terminals in the twin cities has devastated business. "Terminal owners have been supporting employees with basic rations on a self-help basis, but this cannot continue indefinitely," he said.

He suggested that if closures within the city are necessary, temporary roadside facilities should be allocated in areas such as Chungi No. 22 or Rawat to allow transport operations to continue.