ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: The Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) here on Thursday expressed concern over a strike by the employees of a private bus company, saying it had left the commuters of twin cities immobile as few other means of transport were available.

CRCP Secretary General Mian Abrar Hafeez said the strike was based on 'false pretext' that students did not pay fares and damaged buses frequently. He held the bus service responsible for deaths of three students in a recent road accident.

He said as a preemptive measure, the company went on strike to protect its buses from any damage due to public agony. The strike caused great inconvenience to office workers as well as schoolchildren besides many others who were later forced to hire taxis at high fares, he said.

Mr Hafeez urged to the authorities concerned to take immediate and appropriate action to resolve the issue. As many as 34 people have been killed due to rash driving by the bus company's drivers, he claimed.