Protesters Saturday defying the SOPs for containing coronavirus spread took out a rally in Mardan against the tickets of PIA special flights that were being sold at expensive prices, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to the TV channel, tour operators and overseas employment promoters took out the protest rally from New Adda to Press Club Mardan. They were holding placards inscribed with their demands.

“Poor and unemployed travellers abroad are facing severe difficulties. The government has announced a 500-dirham ticket for 1,100 dirhams while the ticket is being sold at 3,000 to 3,500 dirhams in black,” the protesters said.

They maintained that it was a gross abuse of the poor while double rent has been collected and there was no ticket purchase facility on the online system.

“If our demands are not met, we will widen the protest,” the protesters said and added there were funds in Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry but some mafia is using it.

Social distancing guidelines were totally ignored by the protesters while staging the rally. The ban on gatherings was also ignored.