This is with reference to a letter “CM Punjab” by Mr Hussain Sidduiqi Islamabad published by one of leading English dailies of Pakistan on September 7, 2016.
One may criticise and oppose the good work being done by the Punjab Government for the welfare of the masses at large by launching mega projects like Orange Line Metro Train initially in Lahore and then in other parts of the province as well. At the same time, while doing so, one should also not put words in others’ mouths as this is not proper and fair and should not be resorted to by anyone.
I say this because as a senior citizen of Pakistan I read couple of newspapers daily and keep track of what Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PTI Chief Imran Khan and other opposition leaders are doing and saying . After reading the said letter, I had gone through newspapers of last month more than once and somehow could not find what the writer had quoted the Provincial Chief Minister as saying about Lahore Orange Line Metro Train and reconstruction of centuries-old heritage sites.
According to the reports in the media, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of laying foundation stone of Raiwind Railway Track Flyover talked to the journalists and responded to a volley of questions from them about different aspects of the metro train mega project among other matters.
As per these reports, the Chief Minister said that we respect the verdict of the Lahore High Court regarding Orange Line Metro Train and we (the Punjab Government) is going into appeal against this verdict which is our right. Recounted the benefits which will accrue to the people on timely and transparent completion of the first of its kind mega project in the history of the country, about three lakh people will be travelling daily, he said the mega project has been started to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and to provide respectable, speedy and modern travelling facility to the common man. He also availed the opportunity to debunk baseless criticism of the opposition about corruption and challenged if his corruption is proved in this or any other of the development projects, he will be ready to face the wrath of the people. As such, there was no contradiction in what the Chief Minister had said on the occasion.
I do not want to indulge in any controversy but do expect the fellow citizens to be fair and objective in criticism as this will help the Punjab Government to continue doing more good work for the welfare and well-being of the people of the province.
Ehsanul Haq Qazi
Lahore
