Exodus starts ahead of Eid.

Byline: FAIZAN ALI WARRAICH

LAHORE -- As the holy month of blessings draws to a close, hundreds of thousands of people are leaving big cities for their hometowns to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their families.

Bus stands and railway stations were seen packed with passengers on Sunday as people rushed to get tickets. Transporters are expecting huge rush of passengers in the days ahead since the federal government has announced four holidays for the festival.

Passengers complained that bus owners were robbing them in the name of fuel price hike, announced by the government last week. Complaints of overcharging are multiplying despite crackdown by the police and the city administration on those involved in overcharging.

Also, there was a huge rush of passengers at the railway stations in the city where people staged protest demonstration against the hours-long delay in departure and arrival of trains.

Trains coming from Karachi and Quetta were delayed on Sunday due to which passengers faced problems. At least 20 flights were cancelled and five were rescheduled at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

A densely populated metropolis always gives a deserted look on both Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha as people go back to their native towns to celebrate the festivals with their loved ones.

The exodus will intensify on Monday (today) as June 3 is the last working day. The government has announced four holidays for Eidul Fitr from June 4 to June 7 (Tuesday to Friday).

A large number of people prefer early departure to their hometowns to avoid rush and overcharging. City's bus terminals at Yateem Khana, Babu Sabu, Thokar Niaz Beg and Badami Bagh and railways stations were seen packed with people on Sunday. Transporters have increased fare for Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Larkana and Karachi by Rs200 to Rs250.

The district administration has circulated a WhatsApp number to lodge complaints about overcharging. The deputy commissioner of Lahore said that a toll free number 0800-00-2345 and Whatsapp number 0307-0002345 are available to help people and address their grievances about overcharging. She said the district administration imposed Rs0.2 million fine on transporters and gave back overcharged fare to 400 passengers. She said that operation of 20 buses had been suspended due to complaints.

Commissioner of...