LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the project of Bab-e-Pakistan at Walton Road on Sunday.
While addressing a public gathering after the inaugural ceremony, Shehbaz Sharif said, “Today we are standing at that historical place of Bab-e-Pakistan which reminds us of the unending struggle of the great leader Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and his companions.”
The crumbling state of Bab-e-Pakistan, which should have been constructed 20 years ago, is heart-wrenching, he added.
The CM said that on October 12, 1999, when General (retd) Pervez Musharraf pilfered the democratic government, this project was handed over to Punjab government which had made it the graveyard of corruption. Furthermore, he added, “We are trying to fix the transgressions of previous government from the last nine years and today, we have started the reconstruction of this project which will cost over Rs4 billion and it will be the greatest project of Lahore.”
Shehbaz said that it will have a playground for the youth and will spread the tales of workers of Pakistan Movement. “It will also add a swimming pool, and we will follow complete it like we completed the project of Greater Iqbal Park swiftly,” he added.
The project embracing 117 acres of land will cost over Rs4 billion. It will consist of an auditorium, food court, sports complex, art gallery, lake and playgrounds.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, while addressing the ceremony, said that the construction of Bab-e-Pakistan project has started. There will be a playground and two schools will be upgraded here, he added.
He also said that the project has faced an undue delay but we will be completed now.
Leaders of PML-N including Khawaja Ahmed Hassan, Lahore mayor, members of assembly and public attended the ceremony.
