LAHORE: Operation of the Metro bus service remained suspended in the city on Tuesday almost for two and a half hours after people blocked its track in protest against the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) for not restoring electricity in Nishtar Colony and some adjoining areas.

On being informed of the protest, the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) suspended the Metro buses’ operation between Kalma Chowk and Gajjumata, limiting it from Qadhafi Stadium to Shahdara stations.

“We were left with no option but to suspend the operation from 8:45 to 11:00am from Kalma Chowk to Gajjumata after hundreds of people, who were protesting against Lesco because of power suspension for over 20 hours, started throwing stones on the track in a bid to damage the buses. But, luckily the passengers and buses remained safe,” PMTA General Manager (operations) Syed Uzair Shah told Dawn.

Following the situation, the authority squeezed the bus operation from Qaddafi stadium to Shahdra stations, he added.

Mr Shah said the authority might suspend the Metro bus operation on July 13 if it felt that those proceeding for Lahore airport to welcome the PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz could damage the buses and harm the passengers.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2018