Modern transport vital for development: CM

LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that billions of rupees are being spent on the provision of modern transport facilities to the masses as these are essential for speedy development.
He said that after glorious success of Lahore and Pakistan metro bus projects, work was in progress speedily on Multan metro bus project. He said metro bus project had resulted modern, economical and comfortable travelling facilities to the citizens and all these projects had been completed transparently while a high standard had been maintained.
He was addressing a meeting through a video link, here on Sunday. The meeting reviewed the pace of work on Multan metro bus project and other projects of infrastructure development in the province. He said that every penny of public money was being spent honestly on welfare projects. He said that transparency, standards and speed in the execution of uplift projects was the hallmark of the PML-N government; therefore, third party audit had been made compulsory for ensuring transparency in the execution of uplift projects.
He said that Punjab was adopting a solid strategy for infrastructure development and provision of modern and quality transport facilities to the citizens. He said that mega projects worth billions of rupees had been completed in the province within a record period for modernising infrastructure while work was continuing expeditiously on a number of projects. He directed the authorities concerned that a high quality of construction material for metro bus project should be ensured as no compromise would be made in this regard. He said that metro bus projects were a glorious example of utilisation of public money on the masses. He said that provision of modern transport facilities was vital for rapid development and the Punjab government was paying full attention to this sector. He said that the provincial government considered funds as a national trust and their transparent utilisation on the

projects for provision of basic facilities to the masses was being ensured. He said that modern transport facilities were not the right of the elite only but also of the common man and the Punjab government was upholding this right of the ordinary people through metro bus projects.
ROADS: Shahbaz Sharif has said that government is implementing a balanced policy for the development of urban and rural areas and therefore started the revolutionary project of Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme for the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads.
He said that a sum of Rs50 billion had been allocated for this project whereas during next two and half years, the repair and rehabilitation of all rural roads would be completed at the cost of Rs150 billion. He said that completion of this historic programme would result in availability of modern communication facilities to the rural population.
He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of elected representatives. He said that under Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme, 10 percent additional share had been allocated for the districts of South Punjab and this decision reflected the Punjab government’s policy of balanced development. He said that “Pakkiyan Sarkaan Sokhay Painday” was historic project of development and prosperity of rural economy. He said that a new era of development would usher in rural areas with the completion of Roads Programme. He said that this project would result in promotion of skill development in villages and new job opportunities would be created. He said that revolutionary programme of repair and constructions of rural roads would change the lifestyle of the rural people. He said that farmers, workers, students as well as the whole rural population would equally benefit from this programme. He stressed upon elected representatives that as Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Roads Programme was a glorious project of public welfare; therefore, they should make collective efforts for its success.
SPEAKER: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday. The chief minister congratulated Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on assuming the office of Speaker of National Assembly again and said it was the victory of democracy and reflected the supremacy of parliament. He said the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was taking all political forces along for resolving the problems being faced by the country and decisions on national issues had been taken with consensus. The chief minister said that the masses rejected those in LG elections who were raising hue and cry of so-called rigging in general elections of 2013 and had expressed full confidence in Pakistan Muslim League-N. He said that the PML-N government would honour the mandate of the masses.
GRIEVED: Shahbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the death of three persons, including two children due to collision with train in Patthan Colony, Ferozwala. He expressed condolences and sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for the departed souls. He directed that best treatment facilities be provided to injured persons.