An agreement was signed between the Punjab government and leading Chinese company Anhui Ankai Automobile Company for provision of buses at a ceremony held on Monday.
Lahore Transport Company (LTC) Chairman Khawaja Ahmed Hassaan and chairman of the Chinese company Wang Jiang’an signed the agreement. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and others were also present. Under the agreement, the Chinese company will provide 575 modern CNG air-conditioned buses. Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz said that the Punjab government was implementing a comprehensive strategy for provision of an affordable and comfortable transport service to the people and this programme had already been initiated in the city.
He said that the agreement signed with the Chinese company was a welcome step and these buses will ply in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Multan and other big cities of Punjab. Shahbaz said that best operators will be selected for operating this transport system. He said that an organised transport system was introduced for the first time in the province in form of the Daewoo Bus Service during his last tenure and the promise of provision of a modern transport system had again been honoured after 12 years.
Shahbaz said that a modern urban transport system was being set up in all major cities of the province with cooperation of China and the agreement reflects Pak-Sino friendship. He said that CNG air-conditioned buses were being operated in Lahore with cooperation of Foton Company and now an agreement had been signed with Ankai for acquiring 575 such buses. Company chairman Wang Jiang’an said that prosperity of Pakistanis was dearer to him than commercial interests and all out cooperation will be extended for providing modern buses to the people of Punjab on soft terms.
Separately, members of the provincial assembly (MPA) belonging to various districts called on Shahbaz.