Islamabad, Aug 5: Three important metro stations Marir Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, and Waris Khan have been closed by the Metro Bus Authority for the past nine days due to the ongoing protest by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) at Liaquat Bagh Chowk, Rawalpindi. Passengers have experienced severe disruption as a result of this shutdown.
It has been particularly difficult for female students to board at the Saddar Stop, as passengers from Marir Chowk are now required to do. There will be significant delays on these routes as passengers at Waris Khan will be redirected to Chandni Chowk, while those who normally board at Liaquat Bagh Chowk will have to disembark at Committee Chowk or Saddar.
The Metro Bus Authority has suffered financial losses as a result of the shutdown and a decrease in the number of passengers using the metro bus. According to an authority representative, the closures are a necessary reaction to the sit-in and will stay in place as long as the demonstration goes on.
Concerns have been raised by passengers, who contend that the metro stops shouldn’t be completely stopped because alternative transportation options are still available despite the protest. They suggest reopening one side of these stations while enforcing strict security protocols.
