LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Mayor Istanbul Dr. Kadir Topbas have inaugurated a modern radio cab service on Tuesday. Initially, 100 vehicles will be plied in Lahore and its number will be increased phase-wise.
After inauguration of taxi service, Shahbaz Sharif and Kadir Topbas sat in the radio cab vehicle and drove it. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Shahbaz Sharif said friendship of Pakistan and Turkey spread over centuries and the world knew that the hearts of people of both countries beat together.
He said Pak-Turk friendship had achieved a new dimension during the tenure of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He said this friendship had been converted into useful economic relations and trade and investment between both countries were increasing. The chief minister said Albayrak Group had started investment in Punjab during our previous tenure and now investment of this group had reached billions of rupees. He said governments of Turkey and Punjab worked in collaboration with each other for the promotion of investment and forwarded this collaboration. He said role of his brother Kadir Topbas had been prominent in increasing collaboration between Turkey and Punjab governments who had supported us on every occasion.
Shahbaz Sharif thanked Albayrak Group and Kadir Topbas for launching a modern taxi service and said start of modern radio cab service was a gift for Lahorites. He said service being started with 100 vehicles would reach thousands in coming few years through which quality travelling facilities would be available to citizens.
Shahbaz Sharif said Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas was his brother and friend and Pakistani people, particularly people of Punjab, were very happy over the visit of Kadir Topbas.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Mayor Istanbul said he had brought a message of love and sincerity of Turkish brethren for brothers of Punjab.
He said promotion of cooperation with Punjab government would also continue in future. Turkish Ambassador Babur S Gurgin, MNA Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmed, Kh. Ahmed Hassaan, Albayrak Group Noori Albayrak and a large number of citizens were present.
pleasant day: Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas spent a busy and pleasant day on second day of his visit to Lahore. After meeting Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at breakfast, he travelled by metro bus from Model Town Ittefaq Bus Station. Commissioner, DCO Lahore and DG LDA also accompanied him. MD Metro Bus Authority gave a briefing to the distinguished guest regarding the metro bus project.
During his journey from Ittefaq Bus Station to Azadi Chowk, Kadir Topbas witnessed different places of Lahore and showed interest. From Azadi Chowk Bus stop, he reached Badshahi Masjid where Provincial Minister for Auqaf Mian Atta Muhammad Manika received him. The mayor offered Fateha at the Mazar-e-Iqbal and recorded his impressions in the visitors’ book.
He also offered “Nawafal” in the masque. Khateeb Badshahi Masjid Abdul Khabeer Azad apprised the guest of historical importance of Badshahi Masjid. Later, the Turkish guest visited various parts of the mosque and lauded the architectural art of Badshahi Masjid.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce arranged a luncheon in honour of Turkish guest at the Polo Ground. On his arrival, Adviser to Chief Minister Khawaja Ahmed Hasaaan, President Chamber of Commerce Muhammad Arshad and other office-bearers welcomed the guest. Speaking on the occasion, Kadir Topbas thanked Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on extending a warm welcome to him at Lahore.
When Kadir Topbas reached Aitchison College, he was received by Principal Aitchison College Michael Thomson, provincial ministers, MPAs, secretary livestock and other officers.
Kadir Topbas and members of his delegation were brought to the venue in traditional buggies and the audience accorded them a warm welcome. At Aitchison College, the tent pegging sportsmen displayed their art excellently. Kadir Topbas evinced keen interest in cultural exhibition.
Scot MP: Member Parliament of Scotland Mr Hanzala Malik called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Tuesday. Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral relations and problems of overseas Pakistanis were discussed in the meeting.
The chief minister said that there were deep-rooted friendly relations between Pakistan and Scotland. He said that Pakistanis living abroad were ambassadors of the country and known for their hard work and talent. He said the Punjab government had set up an independent and autonomous Overseas Pakistanis Commission and given it a legal status. He said that Overseas Pakistanis Commission was playing an important role in resolving problems of overseas Pakistanis.
Member Parliament of Scotland Hanzala Malik said that setting up of Overseas Pakistanis Commission was a commendable step of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and he was rendering commendable services for the progress and welfare of the people of the province. Commissioner Overseas Pakistanis Commission Punjab, Afzaal Bhatti was also present on the occasion.