Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service suspended amid employees protest

ISLAMABAD – The Metro Bus Service in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has been suspended due to a protest by employees, leaving many passengers stranded. The protest is being held against the dismissal of 150 to 200 employees, including women, whose contracts run until 2027. The employees alleged they were removed from their positions without notice using various excuses, in violation of their agreements. Their salaries for the past two months have also not been paid. The terminations began on May 1 and continue as the contract for the metro bus service has been awarded to a new company. The dismissed employees, many of whom have served for several years, raised concerns about the difficulty of managing daily life amid inflation and unemployment. Protesters have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene and take notice of the matter.