Lahore intercity bus services halted as authorities seal city terminals amid PTI protest
Intercity buses from Lahore to several regions were stopped Sunday after all city bus terminals were sealed, leaving travelers stranded.
On Sunday, intercity bus connections from Lahore to destinations across Pakistan were abruptly suspended after the city’s general bus terminals were sealed late Saturday night, stranding passengers. The shutdown impacted travel to Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, southern Punjab and central Punjab. Leading private carriers Faisal Movers and Daewoo announced they had stopped services, attributing the move to reported restrictions on highway travel.
A motorway police spokesperson confirmed that motorways and national highways remained open, but an anonymous officer said buses were not operating because of the PTI protest call, allowing private vehicles to use the roads. Punjab Transport Department Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch was unavailable for comment. The disruption occurs as the PTI’s nationwide march, begun on October 4 to demand Imran’s release, continues primarily within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while attempts to block the march on the M-1 Motorway and Grand Trunk Road have not closed those routes.
Why it matters
The halt disrupts travel for thousands and shows how political protests can impact essential transport services.
How this story developed
- Oct 2 Government and PTI opposition pause talks as Oct 4 march looms over Islamabad
- Oct 3 PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari claimed the centre was ready to declare emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but urged a political solution to terrorism.
- Oct 4 The march progressed to Karak district while government‑opposition talks remained ongoing.
- Oct 9 The march entered its fifth day, with the convoy moving through Mattani and planning further stops.
- Oct 11 Federal cabinet met to weigh emergency rule for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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