Amraiz Khan
People at large and commuters in particular faced great hardships on Sunday due to suspension of Metro bus service due to a quarrel between drivers and security staff.
According to details, a quarrel took place between the metro bus service drivers and security guards at Niazi Interchange Saturday night. During the episode, the guards allegedly tortured the metro bus drivers and did not allow them buses. Following the scuffle, the drivers also stopped buses in route and also restricted movement on the route. The Mass Transit Authority, however, appeared to be a silent spectator to whole episode.
In the morning on Sunday, several drivers stopped running buses in protest against the highhandedness of the security guards and the quarrel that had taken place yesterday night. Metro bus service route restricted due to dispute. Metro bus service drivers started gathering at Gajumata Depot and Shahdara. The matter dragged on, bringing the bus service to a halt. Sources alleged that the situation worsened to the inaction of the Mass Transit Authority, which did not take the last night’s incident serious. “Had the authority taken action anyone responsible for the episode, the situation would have been normal on Sunday”, they regretted, adding that people faced great hardships amid severe cold and rainy weather.
The drivers are of the view that Metro bus security staff targeted drivers at Niazi Interchange last night. They alleged that security in-charge Rana Safdar is abusive towards drivers and he (Safdar) often indulged in scuffle with drivers over petty issues.
The drivers depended their stance and contended that the buses were stopped when the security personnel stopped them.
On the other hand, 50 guards of the security company stopped working at Shahdara, fuelling the row further.
50 SHOPS, RESTAURANTS SEALED
Meanwhile, the district administration during operation to implement Corona SOPs, sealed 25 shops and restaurants, 17 in Tehsil Cantt, four in Tehsil City and four shops and restaurants in Raiwind.
According to details, Assistant Commissioner Cantt Duha Shakir, Assistant Commissioner City Faisan Ahmed and Assistant Commissioner Raiwind Adnan Rasheed continued their operations in the field.
Assistant Commissioner Cantt Duha Shakir sealed 17 shops, restaurants and marquees. He also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for overcharging and Rs10,000 for non-compliance with Corona SOPs.
The premises sealed included, Butt Restaurant and Shinwari Restaurant Airport Road; Gloria Jeans Phase Vl, Ali Ghousia Pan Shop, Punjab Chicken Shop, Hafiz Lal Khoh Sweet, Abdul Tobacco Shop, Leopard Shop, The Medicine Super Store, Hajveri Pan Shop, Arshad Grocery Store, Hameed LPG, Amjad Sweet, Lasani Restaurant, New Khan Tea Stall, Khan LPG Center, Babu LPG Center and Swat Tea Stall were sealed.
Assistant Commissioner Raiwind Adnan Rashid sealed one restaurant and three shops over non-implementation of Coorna SOPs. .
In Raiwind Tehsil, Insaf Garments, Sheikh Sentry Store near Azam Garden Society Gate and Amjad Sentry near Azam Garden were sealed.
Assistant Commissioner City Faisan Ahmed was present in the field regarding price control checking. He visited Gulshan-e-Ravi and reviewed the implementation of price control and Corona SOPs.
Four shops and restaurants were sealed. A fine of Rs10,000 was also imposed for not displaying rate list on prominent places.
It is to be noted that ACs have been carrying out inspection of the market on the instructions of DC Mudassar Riaz who has issued standing instructions for implementation of fixed rates of commodities.
