Protests against inflated fares spread to Pindi

• * Rock-throwing protesters block main road to Islamabad airport 
• * Students demand release of arrested protesters 
• * Police fire warning shots, use tear gas to stop demonstrators 
• * UN team investigating Benazir’s assassination attacked by mob

Daily Times By Mahtab Bashir 

RAWALPINDI: A violent protest against inflated public transport fares spread from the federal capital to its twin city, Rawalpindi, on Friday as rock-throwing demonstrators in Islamabad blocked a main road leading to the airport and police fired warning shots and teargas to stop protesters. 

Police said the violence prompted the government to rescind the fare increase late on Thursday, but the protests continued on Friday with students demanding the release of protesters arrested the day before. Protesters said more than a dozen students were in police custody, and complained that the rate list had not been revised for Rawalpindi. 

Twin City Transport Union President Malik Sultan Awan told Daily Times, “There was no public transport on the roads of the twin cities because of the violent protests and a token strike.” 

Awan said the increase in fares was “the only option left for the Punjab government and transporters”. 

“The decision to increase the fares was made y the Punjab government ... how can the chief commissioner revise the rate list?” he questioned. He said a notification on the revised fares was only applicable in Islamabad. 

In Rawalpindi, demonstrators took to the streets at around 10am and blocked Murree-Bhara Kahu Road, jamming traffic on Islamabad Expressway, IJ Principal Road and Murree Road. Enraged protesters blamed the administration for failing to rein in transporters charging inflated fares. Protesters burnt tyres, smashed windows of shops and vehicles, set ablaze a car and blocked roads. They also pelted police with stones, injuring at least nine policemen. 

The number of protesters grew as the day passed and students from various colleges and universities joined the demonstrations. Policemen positioned on rooftops fired warning shots to disperse the crowds. 

UN probe team: According to a private TV channel, the vehicle of a UN team investigating the assassination of Benazir Bhutto also came under a “mob attack” while en route to Islamabad. The UN team members – who had to turn around and return to the airport – have reportedly asked the US embassy to provide them protection. 

Students from various colleges told Daily Times that they had planned “a peaceful protest” against increase in fares. According to them, they blocked the Faizabad interchange and Murree Road to register their protest and demand a review. Police in Islamabad also fired warning shots and baton charged demonstrators. Rubber bullets were also used to disperse crowds. 

Dozens of protesters were injured in the twin cities. The Interior Ministry and law-enforcement agencies held meetings to review the situation in Bhara Kahu.