KARACHI, May 11: The city transporters observed an unannounced strike on Friday as most of the public transports remained off the roads causing great hardship for the people, as great rush of people was witnessed on different bus stops in the metropolis.

It was observed that public transport remained very thin on the main routes, only the Urban Transport Service (UTS) and other buses of different routes were on the roads, but not sufficient enough to cater to the needs of the citizens.

Students and women suffered the most due to the almost absence of public transport. It was learnt that operators of mini-buses forced the passengers to get off out of fear that political activists and police would take the vehicles in their custody.

It was observed that mini-buses plying on different routes were parked in the stands, workshops or petrol pumps. When asked some of the drivers in Banaras alleged that they were not only forced to take political activists, but the people also misbehaved on such occasions.Meanwhile, the leaders of Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) have warned to observe a complete strike on May 18 if police or activists of any political party forcefully used their buses for processions today. A meeting of the KTI was held with its president Syed Irshad Hussain Shah Bukhari in the chair, which was largely attended by transporters.

The participants expressed deep concern over the trend that police and political activists were forcefully using public transport during rallies without payment of normal charges. They said dues of the last rallies were still pending and the charges paid to some transporters were either at the ratio of Rs500 per vehicle or 10 litres diesel.

They also condemned the threats given to time keepers of buses plying on ID route for provision of buses and said in such condition they could not run the transport.

They also asked the government to reduce the price of petroleum products. They said if buses, minibuses were impounded illegally and the required charges were not paid they would have no other option left but to observe a strike on May 18.