National ( The cow news digital ) A significant rush of passengers has been reported at transport terminals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, as a large number of people travel to their hometowns for the festive holiday.
According to details, bus stands across the twin cities have witnessed heavy crowds due to the early departure of commuters heading to various parts of the country. However, passengers still waiting for transport are facing long delays, overcrowding, and poor management at terminals.
Families and women travelers were also seen waiting for hours in difficult conditions, with many expressing frustration over the lack of available vehicles and inadequate seating arrangements. The situation has caused considerable inconvenience, particularly for those traveling with children and luggage.
Passengers have complained that transport operators are charging excessively high fares, taking advantage of increased demand during the Eid season. Reports of overloading and unfair treatment of passengers have also surfaced, adding to public dissatisfaction.
Authorities including the Motorway Police, Regional Transport Authority, and City Traffic Police Rawalpindi have launched operations against overcharging and overloading. Despite these efforts, officials acknowledge that the situation remains only partially under control.
Sources indicate that passengers traveling to destinations such as Kot Addu, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, and Multan are among the most affected. At Pirwadhai Bus Terminal, several travelers reported arriving as early as 4 a.m. only to be informed that their buses would depart three to four hours later than scheduled.
Transport operators, on the other hand, argue that rising fuel prices have significantly increased operational costs, making it difficult to run services at previous schedules or capacities. They claim that limited passenger turnout at certain times also contributes to delays in departures.
Meanwhile, passengers have criticized what they describe as administrative negligence and lack of effective enforcement, urging authorities to take immediate steps to ensure smooth travel during the Eid period.
As Eid approaches, pressure on transport infrastructure is expected to increase further unless strict regulatory measures are enforced to manage demand and ensure fair treatment of passengers.
