BAHAWALPUR: A large number of people, including students and physically-challenged persons on wheelchairs, staged a protest against the possible imminent closure of the Speedo bus service between Bahawalpur and Lodhran from today (Thursday, March 20), as announced by the operating company.

According to the private operators, they have expressed their inability to continue the service in the absence of further extension of its agreement with the Punjab transport department.

Following the announcement, a large number of university and college students, including girls and some physically-challenged persons on wheelchairs gathered on Multan Road near Bindra Basti and staged a demonstration against the imminent suspension of the subsidised bus service. They also raised slogans against the government demanding continuation of the bus service.

The air-conditioned Speedo bus service had been launched by the Punjab government under the former chief minister Shehbaz Sharif (who is now premier), providing a decent and cheap transport facility, particularly to thousands of university and college students, on a subsidised fare of Rs20.

Private company cites non-extension of agreement with transport dept

However, during the PTI rule, ex-chief minister Usman Buzdar’s government had shifted these buses to Dera Ghazi Khan, sparking protests by locals. Later, when the PML-N again came into power in the province, the Lodhran-Bahawalpur bus service was restored.

During the previous years, despite nonpayment of the outstanding dues to the bus operator, Daewoo, running in millions, the service continued facilitating the journey of daily commuters, including students.

Meanwhile, the Punjab transport department continued paying the arrears to the operator in installments and the service continued despite some bad patches, when the company threatened closure due to delay in payment of the amount.

But, this time, the situation seems to be serious, as the private operator claims that while the government still has to pay its arrears, it has also not extended the agreement, forcing the company to close the service on March 20 (today).

As per sources the company has decided to move its Bahawalpur fleet comprising 12 Speedo buses to Lahore on Thursday (today), causing serious concern among the locals, especially the students.

The protesters demanded that CM Maryam Nawaz’s government should take immediate measures to avert closure of the bus service, which is a cheap and comfortable means of transport for them.

As per unconfirmed reports, in case of the bus service’s closure, the government may introduce non-AC coaster service between Bahawalpur and Lodhran without any subsidy.

UK DELEGATION: A delegation of the British High Commission led by Mahesh Mishra on Wednesday payed a visit to different industrial units in Bahawalpur.

After the visit, the delegation members appreciated the rich cultural heritage and high-quality agricultural products of the region.

The delegation members visited a number of industrial establishments, including Ashraf Sugar Mills.

The hosts briefed the delegation about different ongoing development projects in south Punjab aimed at well-being of locals, elimination of unemployment and providing basic facilities to the public.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2025