The Punjab government is all set to make the inauguration of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) an event to show off all achievements of the PML-N regime in the five-year term, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Sources privy to the development revealed that around 2500 invitation cards are being printed for prominent guests including foreign dignitaries, bureaucrats, politicians and people from the media. According to further details, the chief minister’s secretariat has issued directions to various administrative departments to make display of the programs and ensure presence of a ‘good’ number of people celebrating the government’s success.
The decision came after various high-level meetings attended by prominent politicians and bureaucrats. Important among the schemes going to be highlighted include the laptop scheme, the solar panels, the green tractors, the yellow cab, Daanish schools, the internship program, etc. Each concerned department involved in the execution of the respective program has been given two bus stations [on the BRTS route] each where they will put up flex banners besides making present the recipients of each scheme holding small flags.
Giving details of the entire ceremony on February 10, a senior official, on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the function will start from the Gajumata Station where after recitation of the holy quran and short addresses by officials and the chief minister, the guests will board the buses and get on the route. Along the route officials of various departments will bring recipient of various schemes such as laptops and solar lamps holding flags to laud the government’s efforts. “It is yet to be decided where the bus will take the turn from because a few days are still left and there can be last minute changes as well in minor details of the program,” the official added.
Another senior official who attended the meeting said a lot of focus is being paid on the recent directions passed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) which has restricted use of public money on the publicity of a political party. “When the PC-I of any project is approved, it does not include the cost of the inauguration of that project. Now the already cash-strapped departments have to bear the cost of all the publicity and bringing so many people present along the BRTS route to laud their leader,” the official added.
Talking to Pakistan Today Information Secretary Mohiyuddin Wani said the government has issued ‘strict’ directions not to display even the photograph of the chief minister on any billboard or hoarding. “We will strictly follow the guidelines of the ECP and no slogan of the PML-N on the cost of public money will be allowed. If the PML-N wants to highlight something or laud its leaders, they are free to do it, but the ceremony is a strictly government one and not of a political party,” Wani added.
BRTS INAUGURATION: A DREAM COME TRUE
