ISLAMABAD, April 13: Concern was voiced by both the treasury and opposition benches in the Senate on Tuesday over problems faced by commuters in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad after a private bus company was given exclusive operational rights to seven key routes.

The issue was raised by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) leader Prof Khurshid Ahmed through a point of order immediately after the question hour in the morning sitting of the upper House.

The MMA leader said people of the two cities were facing serious transport difficulties and called upon the government to "pay special attention" to remedy the situation.

"No single group should be given a monopoly," Prof Khurshid said about the decision by the Rawalpindi administration to stop hundreds of buses and wagons from plying on seven usually busy routes used by vehicles carrying the bulk of people travelling between the two cities.

"It is a humanitarian problem," he said and demanded an immediate government intervention in the matter. Senate chairman Mohammedmian Soomro sought a response from the government, but found no minister concerned in the House to speak on an issue, which did not appear to be of direct concern with any federal ministry.