Intercity transport suspended in Lahore, bus terminals reportedly sealed

Intercity bus services from Lahore to various destinations across Pakistan were halted on Sunday, following the city administration's decision to seal all general bus terminals on Saturday night. The closures impacted passengers heading to Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, southern Punjab, and other central Punjab regions. Several passengers faced challenges as their tickets were canceled and transport services suspended.

Major private bus operators, such as Faisal Movers and Daewoo, also halted their services due to reported restrictions on public transport on motorways and national highways. However, motorway police spokesperson Imran Shah denied any orders to suspend bus services, stating that motorways and highways remained open for traffic. Another motorway police official, speaking anonymously, mentioned that buses were not operating on motorways or highways due to a PTI protest call.

People utilizing private vehicles were advised to use the roads. Punjab Transport Department Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch was unreachable for comment despite multiple attempts to reach him via his mobile phone. The situation unfolded as the PTI initiated its march on October 4, demanding Imran's release, while remaining within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the party holds power.

Prior to the march, containers were moved to Swabi Interchange and the Indus River bridge on the M-1 Motorway to obstruct the party's demonstration, but both the motorway and the Grand Trunk Road remained accessible to traffic.