Rickshaw drivers in Lahore took to the streets on Thursday to protest against ride-hailing services Uber and Careem and the Punjab government's Orange Cab initiative to provide 100,000 cars to those unemployed in the province, a press release issued by the Awami Rickshaw Union stated.

The rickshaw drivers blocked Ferozepur Road for at least three hours, which resulted in a massive traffic jam.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Awami Rickshaw Union Chairman Majeed Ghauri expressed "severe" displeasure at the online ride-hailing services operating in Lahore, claiming they have a "free pass" and are not being regulated.

Ghauri further accused Umer Saif, chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), of "backing" the ride-hailing services for personal gains, claiming he has "misguided" the chief minister of the province.

"Managing public transport is the job of the Punjab Transport Department, so why is the IT board interfering in this matter?" Ghauri added.

Regarding the Orange Cab scheme, he said, "Why doesn't the chief minister of Punjab give us the 100,000 taxis and take our rickshaws as surety?", adding that the rickshaw drivers would comply happily if that was done.

The union leader warned that protests will continue until the demands of the rickshaw drivers union are met.

Subsequently, if the situation persists, the union will demonstrate in front of the office of Punjab transport secretary on May 9 and on May 18 they will gather in front of the Punjab Governor House and continue protesting until their demands are met.