Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas had a busy day on Monday and he travelled throughout the city, inaugurating different projects and taking part in different activities on Monday.
In the morning, he inaugurated Metro Bus Service (BRT) on Ferozepur Road that has been launched with collaboration between Punjab and Turkey. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, provincial ministers, members of national and provincial assembly, Lahore Transport Company chairman and a large number of people were present on this occasion.
Dr Topbas after unveiling the plaque of the project formally inaugurated the bus service by driving metro bus from Naseerabad Bus Station to Gulab Devi Hospital on Ferozepur Road. The CM and members of the Turkish delegation were also on board the bus.
Expressing his views on the occasion, the CM said the metro bus project on Ferozepur Road will extend from Kahna to Shahdara and its first phase from Kahna to Kalma Chowk will be completed by April. Similarly, 30 kilometres long second phase of this project would be completed by December this year.
He said that public transport of international standard will be available to the passengers through metro bus service. He said disabled, senior citizens and women would especially benefit from this service and highly trained staff will operate this bus service and ticketing of this system will be completely automated.
The CM said Punjab government and the people of the province were thankful to Turkey for extending cooperation in Solid Waste Management and metro bus service. Dr Topbas assured on this occasion that mutual cooperation would continue for the improvement of various sectors and betterment of the people of the Punjab. He especially thanked the Lahoris for their hospitality and added that he was deeply impressed with the sentiments of love and affection shown by them.
Inaugrates Pak-Turk girls’ branch: Dr Topbas also laid the foundation stone of girls’ campus of Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges on Raiwind Road, on Monday. The CM, Ambassador of Turkey in Pakistan Mustafa Babur Hizlan, provincial ministers, members of national and provincial assembly, members of Pak-Turk Education Foundation and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges chairman while informing about the project of girls campus said educational facilities would be made available to 900 girls after completion of this project. He said the foundation was providing educational facilities to more than five thousand children in 18 schools in Pakistan. He also thanked the CM for extending cooperation for the educational projects of Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges and provision of land for the construction of girls’ campus.
The CM, Dr Topbas and Babur Hizlan also visited the Neeli Mosque in Sukh Chain Garden constructed on the pattern of historical Sultan Ahmad Mosque of Istanbul and offered Zohr prayers. The CM said the blue mosque was a masterpiece of architecture and reflected the brotherly relations of people of Pakistan and Turkey. The CM and Dr Topbas also planted saplings in Sukh Chain Garden.The delegation also visited Sharif Medical City and Educational Complex. The distinguished guests freely mingled with the students.
The students were very happy to see Turk guests among them and raised slogans in favaour of Pak-Turk friendship. Students welcomed the Turk delegation by waving flags and buntings. Dr Topbas paid tributes to Sharif family for their services for the promotion of education and ailing humanity.
Gets a degree
The Government College University on Monday conferred the honorary doctorate degree on Dr Topbas in recognition of his services for strengthening brotherly ties between Turkey and Pakistan. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman chaired the Degree Awarding Ceremony at GCU Bukhari Auditorium, while Punjab Education Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rahman was also present. “This degree is the shinning beacon of Pak-Turk cultural relationships, and I will use it for the service of the people,” said Dr Kadir Topbas while addressing the ceremony that was held in his honor.
The Istanbul Mayor announced that every year, 15 students from GCU would be accommodated in Istanbul University, Turkey to pursue higher studies, while they would also provide scholarships of $6,000 to $9,000 to students of universities for studying in Istanbul.
Gifts 100 buses
Dr Topbas also announced 100 buses as a
gift for Lahoris.
He made this announcement on the occasion of a luncheon hosted by the the CM in honour of Turk delegation on Monday. Dr Topbas said he would never forget the love and affection shown by the people of Lahore during his visit. He said the Turk felt pleasure in extending cooperation to Pakistanis in various sectors. He said Turkey had made progress by dint of hard work and the people of Pakistan had also shown the same spirit. The CM, expressing his gratitude to the mayor, said he had won the hearts of people of Punjab by extending full cooperation for the improvement of various sectors. He said Turkey was a role model for Pakistanis.
Gets a chowk
Dr Topbas also inaugurated Kadir Topbas Chowk on Raiwind Road. The CM and Ambassador of Turkey in Pakistan Mustafa Babur Hizlan were also present on this occasion. The distinguished guest was given briefing about the construction of Kadir Topbas Monument Project in Valencia Town. A large number of people were present on this occasion and were carrying flags of Pakistan and Turkey and raising slogans of Pak-Turk friendship. A large number of citizens standing along Raiwind Road showered rose petals on the distinguished guests.