- Orders to double efforts for early completion of project
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting at the site-office of Lahore Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) adjacent to the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, here today to review progress on construction work of the project.
On the occasion, the chief minister was given a briefing about the progress of the project.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister congratulated the whole team on the permission of the Supreme Court to carry on with the project and said that it was the result of their collective efforts. He added that the huge delay of 22 months had occurred in the project for which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was responsible.
The conscious people will hold the PTI accountable for it, he said and added that the political elements that created hurdles in this great project will be held accountable by the masses. He lamented that the PTI has given priority to personal interest over the public interest.
Shehbaz further said that they have to continue the work with tolerance, patience and persistence and it was the opportunity to show something to the nation. “You all should burn the midnight oil and strive for early completion of the project,” he said, and added, “You should double your efforts to compensate the delay.”
He also said that success will be achieved if round the clock work is and every moment is utilised. If we work harder, then Almighty Allah shall also support us, he added.
The chief minister said that OLMT was a project of the whole nation which shall provide economical, honourable and cheap transport facilities to the laymen. He congratulated the nation, the people of Punjab and especially the residents of Lahore and assured that this project will be completed with renewed commitment and passion.
He said that he will regularly monitor the progress of the project. He added that the directions of the Supreme Court with regard to the project will be fully abided by, adding that a special fund will be established for the protection of historical buildings.
Shehbaz Sharif directed that the best plan of alternate traffic be designed before the start of work on GPO Chowk at Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, and added that this alternate traffic scheme should be devised in consultation with the experts. “The citizens should face less difficulty in case of closure of traffic,” he added.
In another meeting with PML-N leaders, Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has always given priority to the agenda of public service and national development in its tenure and wonderful records have been set in these fields.
“Unlike the past rulers who were used to of making false promises and hollow claims, we have made practical steps for the development of every sector,” Shehbaz said.
Load-shedding has been controlled and the world is astonished over the completion of energy projects in a record period of time. We have also fulfilled the promise of relieving the country of the energy crisis and shall move further with the same zeal for the development of the country.
He expressed these views while talking to members of the assembly who called on him here on Monday.
He said that transparency and merit-based policies have been adopted in the province and the billions of rupees, which have been saved through different measures, are being utilised to provide basic facilities to the people. The passion, with which load-shedding has been overcome by the government, is being utilized in other sectors as well.
The chief minister said that PML-N lives in the hearts of the people because of its record of public service and different steps have been taken for the development of the country. He added that there is nothing important than the service to the people.
“We have always served the masses and shall continue to do so,” CM said and added that the whole nation should stand united to face the challenges and collective efforts are needed for national development and prosperity of the people.
Among those who called on the chief minister also included Members of the National Assembly Imtiaz Ahmed and Chaudhry Tufail.
