RAWALPINDI, May 19: Local transporters on Monday protested against franchise of routes to a private transport company.

About 300 transporters, including drivers and conductors, marched to the office of the district Nazim from Marir Hassan, chanting slogans against franchise of routes 7, 21 and 24.

They termed it an anti-poor decision. The government has planned to deprive thousands of poor families, associated with the transport business, of their livelihood, just to please the daughter of a retired general, transporters union president Sultan Awan said.

The union leaders had also displayed black banners, inscribed with slogans against the move, on their vehicles.

Later on, the protesters met District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani and informed him about their grievances.