File photo of Metro Bus. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ ZAHOORUL HAQ.
LAHORE: DIG Operations Punjab requested the Punjab government on Friday to shut down the Metro Bus service for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) rally on Saturday, Express News reported.
While reviewing the security measures for the PTI’s rally, which will be held at Minar-e-Pakistan on Saturday, police officials argued that the bus service should be closed for the day based on earlier incidents involving crowds damaging the Metro Buses, offices and blocking routes.
They stated that there would be a huge crowd en-route to Minar-e-Pakistan -- a stop the Metro bus takes -- therefore it would be better to either shut down the service for a day or limit the route from Gajumata to MA College, Lahore.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan had recently stated that the “PTI’s tsunami” would reach Minar-e Pakistan in Lahore by March 23, travelling on the newly operating Metro Buses.
According to sources, around 600 policemen will be allotted for securing the PTI rally, and cars will be stopped at Data Darbar.
COMMENTS (49)
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worries for PML-Naan
Mian Brothers always talk against Gen Musharaf. Calling him ghaddar. They never mention Ziaul Haq. They were part and parcel of Zia regime. He was the root cause of our problems of law and order, religious extremism.
someone is afraid for sure.
What else do you expect from a highly politicized police.
Well actually shame on the party whose rally is affecting public transport and the common man's life
Pti kids have been praying for the failure of this service from day 1. we r talking of desperate kids of a desperate leader. Now that transparency int'l has given a green signal to the project & imran khan failed to provide any evidence of corruption. Punjab govt has all the reasons to believe they will try to harm it physically.
This is Rehman Malik approach, close cell phones as they create terrorism.
A great move! Unlike chairs, buses are public property, therefore must be saved from destructive Tsunami. What kind of burgers party is this? they badmouth it, condemn it and then want ride and seating... why can't they walk to the concert for few hours??
Metro Bus is a useless project.. It is a permanent liability and a weak point for Govt..
Though I am a supporter of PTI, I do not agree that Pakistani youth knows how to value the things that belong to them ... Let's take a lesson from history ... Having said that, I wish that pti stage a record breaking jalsa without the need for metro buses ... That would be amazing ...
@PakistanUnited: Raiwind party is actually Zia League. Not Musharaf League They were born and brought up by Ziaul Haq
IK himself in one of his speeches has directed PTI troll to use the bus for his jalsa meaning PTI trolls have the licence to vandalize the buses
I think its a good decision. Its not a matter of inability to protection but prevention of mob mentality. Imran Khan is not the end of the world.; Nor does he have what it takes to pacify a crowd
If it's so difficult to protect Metro Bus then why was it built on first place?? PTI has been saying this from the beginning that this Nation needs education before such projects, & PMLN today has proved that..!
They used the same tactics before October 30, 2011 and we all witnessed that history was made on Oct 30. Jungla bus will remain open when shareef brothers will do a jalsi at bhaati chawk. hahahahah. wake up. Lahore AND Pakistan belongs to PTI.
Pakistan Muslim league - Naan
There was no Metro Bus on 30 Oct either. Who needs Metro !!! ?? PTI all the way
Do whatever you want, now no can stop tsunami of IK.
There is a difference between PMLN and PTI crowd. DG Lahore Police is confusing the two
Good Luck Shaheeno... :) .
The Brave Punjab Police is unable to protect Metro Bus. Lame Excuse ... In reality The Shareef's wouldn't like PTI to utilize their creation!
Good decision because Metro Buses are our precious assets''.
This will actually add to the passion of people.
Even being a PTI fan, I think its not a bad decision.
"There are no pacts between Tsunamis & Metros" .... with excuse to Homer. :-)
We will make a new Pakistan InshAllah:
Peace & Justice for all, Cheap electricity , health , education , infrastructure , merit , winning teams in all sports , crime free Pakistan , respect of Pakistani passport, state of the art defence.
Come on IK we are with you captain
The awkward moment when a party who spend .7 to 1 Billion Rs on media campaign is crying for Transportation
@Khurram Mansoor. The name "Tsunami" implies the destruction of the filth ridden status quote that is the incumbent regime (PPP, PMLN included)
Great move. Unlike chairs, buses are public property, therefore must be saved from destructive Tsunami. What kind of youth is this? they want ride and seating, why cannot they walk to concert nor stand for few hours.
Metro Bus belongs to every Pakistani ! Lets suppose if they hold rallies near airport than govt will shut that too ? Protection of assets is the responsibility of police and police should do their work.Tsunami is a disciplined group of people and will purchase tickets for the service and directly benefit the national chequer. Imran Khan will show all that change is now imminent and these zardaris and sharifs have to go now
@Angry: Its a government resource made from our tax money, doesn't belong to their abbay! Will they shut it down during PPP's rallies? during their own? obviously this is a political move by an opponent that is scared
@Angry @KHURRAM MANSOOR @Blithe: True Patwari Logic. Hats off to you. --- Metro Buses (and for that matter all transport systems) should be closed for Rallies to ensure security. --- All official buildings, shopping plazas, underpasses, bridges etc on the Rally route should be lifted & moved to some other place to secure them. --- Better yet all citizens should be sent to 'Chaanga Maanga' to ensure their safety from 'uncouth youth'. --- If any mishap does happen, Khadim-e-Aala may distribute fake cheques to the affectees to satisfy media cameras (who cares if they bounce later). Huh Hum ne badla hai Punjab...... Hum Badlenge Paistan.... whatever
PMLN is SCARED of tsunama
The people who are going to travel 100s of kilometers from different cities to get to Lahore for this historic day are not going to be stopped by blocking a bus service that only runs on 37 kms.
Only made the government look scared. It wont dent the event attendance in any way.
Shame on Musharaf League of Raiwind
@KHURRAM MANSOOR, my friend thats the idea , bring destruction to status quo, bring destruction to corruption so on and so forth. If you have been unable to fathom the idea as yet then you deserve the leaders we have.
Khurram, There is a difference between PMLN and PTI crowd. I think you are confusing the two.
Its not about fear of Tsunami its about being civilized. PML N doesn't think that we Lahories are civilized enough to sit in Metrobus.
wow, waht a special reason. No wonder who CM currently is.
It makes sense shutting it down. These rallies always go crazy in Pakistan and it is best not to waste the billions of rupees spent on this white elephant project.
the fear is in their hearts now
Metro Bus is a national asset, it will be wise if it is not handed over to any crowd for destruction. Second for @Antebellum, any kind of Tsunami brings on ly destruction. I wish PTI leadership had a little sense naming themselves as destructors
Noora league will do anything to stop the Tsunami, but InshAllah they will fail!
Good move !
Assets must be protected from these "uncouth youth".
Shame on you PML-N
tsunami doesnt need buses :D thank you very much
They admiited that 'They stated that there would be a huge crowd en-route to Minar-e-Pakistan'
Great logic shutdown public transportation when there is a large crowd
Exact opposite of what happens the world over