Hundreds of rickshaw drivers on Friday staged a demonstration at Chowk Kutchehry to protest against the high handedness of the traffic police and 100 percent increase in the fine. A rickshaw driver attempted to self-immolation but people of the area foiled his attempt while another rickshaw driver Tariq Shah set his rickshaw on fire.
Then two rickshaw drivers namely Muhammad Hashmat and Irshad Ali climbed on an electric pole after sprinkling petrol on their uniform to commit suicide, however other protestors saved them. They said that how could they pay Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 as fine when they earned hardly Rs 300 to 400 daily by serving 12 hours.
The rally was led by Abbas Umar Draz of Rickshaw drivers Association and Tariq Naeem-ullah Khan, President of Mutahidda Shehri Mahaz. They blocked the main roads of Multan and shouted slogans against the Punjab Chief Minister and traffic police. It may be recalled that rickshaw drivers were protesting against the traffic police for the last three days but no one lent ear to their hue and cry consequently they took this harsh step.