Shahbaz Sharif reviews the matters relating to Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today which reviewed the matters relating to Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project is a milestone in the provision of latest transport facilities to the common man. He said that this project, which will be a masterpiece of architecture, will be another splendid gift of Punjab government to the people and completely change transport culture.

He said that Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project is a unique and the first project of its kind in the country and will be of special importance for the people of the province in particular and of the whole country in general. He said that like other projects of Punjab government, Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project will be an example of transparency and standard and will bring about a big revolution in transport sector. He said that labourers, workers, students, doctors, lawyers, farmers, traders and people of all walks of life will travel by metro train in a respectable manner.

He said that after the success of metro bus service in Lahore and Rawalpindi-Islamabad and under-construction metro bus project in Multan, the first metro train project of the country in the provincial metropolis will be a revolutionary steps towards provision of speedy, comfortable and quality transport facility to the masses. He said that after metro train and metro bus, the day is not far when people will travel by air-conditioned metro trains of international standard and will be proud of being Pakistani. He said that these projects have been launched for the people who had to travel in extreme heat and cold in smoke-emitting buses.

Shahbaz Sharif said that through metro bus service, a new transport culture has been promoted in Pakistan and lakhs of people reach their destination through metro buses daily. Similarly, he said, Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project will also bring about revolutionary changes in transport culture. He said that work has been started on this project and no compromise will be made on its standard. He said that institutions concerned should ensure quality of work at any cost.

The Chief Minister said that metro train project is a great gift of Chinese president, prime minister and the people to the people of Pakistan and completion of this project will result in comfortable, economical and respectable transport facility to the citizens.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government has adopted a solid strategy for the improvement of infrastructure and provision of modern transport facilities to the masses. He said that mega projects worth billions of rupees for the improvement of infrastructure have been completed in a record period while work is in progress speedily on several projects.

He said that speed, transparency and high standard in the execution of development projects is a hallmark of Punjab government of Pakistan Muslim League-N, therefore, third-party audit has been made compulsory for ensuring transparency in these projects. He said that after Lahore, Pakistan Metro Bus Project has also been widely appreciated by the people and lakhs of citizens are travelling by metro bus service and reaching their destination on time. He said that metro bus system has greatly facilitated the masses. He said that work is also in progress expeditiously on metro bus project in Multan.

The Chief Minister said that metro bus projects are a glorious example of utilization of public money on the masses. He said that Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project is of vital importance and will be completed speedily. He said that modern means of communication are essential for speedy development and Punjab government is paying special attention to the uplift of this sector.

He said that Punjab government is spending funds in a transparent manner on the provision of basic amenities to the citizens.

Provincial Minister for Finance Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal, Chairman Planning & Development, MD Punjab Mass Transit Authority, DG LDA, MD NESPAK and concerned authorities attended the meeting.