CM visits route of the central procession of Yaum-e-Aashoor

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif visited Metro Bus Project and the route of central procession of Yaum-e-Aashur without security and protocol today early in the morning. During the visit, Chief Minister mingled with the labourers working on the project and the citizens at various places and talked with them in Punjabi language in a pleasant mood.

The Chief Minister appreciating the sentiments of the labourers gave them Shabash and announced that all labourers would be rewarded on the completion of this project. The Chief Minister visited the project for more than three hours and later presided over a meeting regarding the project for two hours.

He reviewed the pace of construction work at different sections of the project from Gajjumata to Azadi Chowk. Chairman LTC Kh. Ahmad Hasaan, Project Director BRT, DG LDA and other concerned officials were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that metro bus project will bring about a revolution in transport sector as it is not merely a project but a mission of public service. He said that people will soon see metro buses running on the roads which will automatically silence the so-called critics. He said that temporary inconvenience of the people is soon going to turn into permanent relief. He said after Lahore, metro bus project will also be started in other major cities of the province. He said that laxity and negligence in metro bus project will not be tolerated. He said that all out resources are being provided for the completion of the work within timeline so that this splendid public welfare project could be completed at the earliest. The Chief Minister during his visit inspected construction work at various sections and issued instructions to the concerned authorities to further accelerate the construction work. He also inspected elevated section of metro bus project near Taxali Chowk and expressed satisfaction over the pace of the work. The Chief Minister continued to inspect the project for more than three hours. Later, he presided over a high level meeting to review the pace of implementation of metro bus project at Model Town for about two hours. Chairman LTC Kh. Ahmad Hasaan, Assembly Members, Dr. Saeed Elahi, Hafiz Mian Muhammd Nauman, Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Project Director BRT, concerned secretaries, DG LDA, senior officers as well as contractors were present.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the work on the project should continue without delay as there is a race against time. He said that there is no room for delay in the execution of the project. He directed that the hurdles in the way of the project should immediately be removed and the entire work should be completed within timeline through better coordination. He said that the work on bus stations should also continue simultaneously while efforts should be made for speedy completion of park and ride stations. The Chief Minister has sought a detailed briefing next week regarding all minor and major work at all sections of the project and directed the authorities concerned that the briefing should be realistic and the date of completion of every work should also be given. He said that there is a need for further expediting the work on some sections. The Chief Minister directed DG PHA to start horticulture and landscaping work along the route of metro bus project as soon as possible. He said that public transport will also be plied beyond Gajjumata and Shahdara for the convenience of the people so that those living in far flung areas could be facilitated in reaching their destination. The Chief Minister issued orders for stern actions against the LDA officials involved in fraud in state land and directed to form a committee headed by Senior Member Board of Revenue to present a report after conducting an inquiry. He further directed that MD WASA should also attend every meeting in future and give a briefing regarding the issues concerning WASA. DG LDA and contractors apprised the Chief Minister of the pace of work on every section of the project.

Meanwhile,the 969th annual Ghusal ceremony of the Mazar of Alshaikh Alsyed Ali Bin Usman Alhajveri popularly known as Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh was held here today. Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on this occasion. Provincial Minister for Auqaf Haji Ehsan ud Din Qureshi, Chairman Religious Affairs Committee Data Darbar Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Members National and Provincial Assemblies Pervaiz Malik, Mian Marghoob Ahmed, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Ramzan Siddique Bhatti, Ejaz Ahmed, Secretary Auqaf, high ranking officers and a larger number of devotees were present on the occasion. The ceremony started with recitation of the holy Quran. Later, the Mazar was given Ghusal with rose water and wreaths were laid. At the conclusion of the ceremony, special prayers were offered for solidarity, integrity, prosperity and development of the country.

Later, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif reviewed security measures at Karbla Gamey Shah and inquired from the mourners about the arrangements. The mourners expressed their satisfaction over the security arrangements and prayed for Shahbaz Sharif. They said that the Allah Almighty will reward Shahbaz Sharif for making foolproof security arrangements during Muharram ul Harram.