March 18, 2002	Monday	Muharram 3, 1423

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LAKKI MARWAT, March 17: All Flying Coach Transport Union observed a wheel jam strike against the new fare schedule issued by the district government authorities after the decrease in petroleum products’ prices.

The people, specially children, women and government servants suffered the most as they could not find transport.

The transport owners accused the Lakki Marwat and Bannu police of receiving illegal gratification from the flying coach owners and drivers.

Since the government announced the policy of revising the petroleum products’ prices after every 15 days, the transporters and passengers are often found arguing over the fares.

The flying coach and passengers’ vehicle owners had raised the fares for different routes from Lakki Marwat and Serai Naurang when the petroleum prices were raised. On the people’s demand, the local government formed a committee led by Kaka Khel Union Council Nazim Haji Shah Nawaz Khan in this regard. After consultation with transport unions and relevant quarters, the committee put forward its proposals to the district government, which issued a new fare schedule.

The flying coach owners and drivers rejected the fares taking their vehicles off the roads.

Police contingents deployed on the bus stop at Umer Gul Chowk forced the drivers to transport the passengers to their desired stations and charge them according to the new rates.

The owners and drivers of the flying coaches said the military government changed the prices of oil products after every fortnight causing loss to them.

They alleged that when the police took prisoners from the lock ups to courts in their vehicles, they did not pay the full fare although they received travel and transportation allowance for the purpose.

They said the student also did not pay their full fares.

The transporters formed a delegation to meet the district government and police authorities to solve the matter.