Maryam inaugurates 'Pakistan’s first electric bus service'

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated Pakistan’s first electric bus service in the provincial metropolis here on Wednesday. The ceremony’s slogan was “Welcome to Maryam Nawaz Sharif Green Punjab”, in which country’s first complete electric bus service was started from the Railway Station up to Green Town. The CM Punjab became the first passenger of the electric bus service. She boarded the electric bus from the Punjab University stop.

Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar said that 500 more buses will be introduced for public service. Thousands of buses are needed in 9 cities while their services will be launched in Faisalabad and Gujranwala soon. Two new mass transit systems will be launched in Lahore. The first electric bus service will start today (Thursday) from the Railway Station up to Green Town.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made important announcements while addressing the Electric bus Service Pilot Project ceremony. She announced to fix fare of the electric bus at Rs20. She announced free travel facility for students, senior citizens and differently-able persons. She announced that 500 more electric buses will be brought in August. She also announced that Metrobus service will be started in Faisalabad and Gujranwala by the next financial year.

The chief minister reiterated her announcement of providing one lakh modern electric bikes to the students. She invited the Chinese companies to start assembling process of electric bikes in Punjab. She directed to undertake immediate steps for the underground transport system in Punjab and announced that Pakistan’s first tram will run from Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspur. Some 17,000 passengers will benefit from the electric bus service pilot project daily. Free Wi-Fi, mobile charging and CCTV cameras have been installed in the electric bus service to prevent incidents of harassment. Automatic ramps have been made for differently-abled people.

She said, “Opponents cannot compete with Nawaz Sharif in terms of public service and innovation. Every notable project in Pakistan carries the stamp of PMLN and Nawaz Sharif. Every significant project, including motorways, started during PMLN’s tenure of government. The modern era in the country began during the PMLN. Development is the brand of PMLN.”

She added, “I can say on oath that I have never asked the prime minister for any project. We are striving to serve the people by increasing local resources. Other provinces take more share from the prime minister than me. Punjab contributes to projects on the direction of prime minister.”

The CM said, “It was good for the girls of Balochistan to visit Lahore. If you think beyond prejudice and with wisdom, the answer to every question comes in favour of PMLN. If we complete five years term, 5 lakh houses will have been built in Punjab. Everyone knows who brought Pakistan out of every crisis. Everyone knows who introduced the culture of abusing people in the premises of the Masjid-e-Nabwi (SAW). The opponents cannot criticize our performance.”

She said, “Everyone knows who was stigmatized by the May 9 and Jinnah House attacks. KPK, Sindh and Balochistan are also mine. Who were the unfortunate who desecrated the memorials of martyrs?”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed deputy commissioners across the province to ensure strict implementation of one dish ban during wedding ceremonies, while showing indignation over incidents of violation of ban on one dish. The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to impose fines and take legal action against the violators.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the killing of 7 innocent people by removing them from a bus in Barkhan. She offered sincere condolences and extended her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met female students and faculty members of various colleges of Balochistan. The meeting included 49 female students and 14 female teachers from universities, colleges, technical education institutions of different districts of Balochistan. She welcomed the female students and faculty members on their arrival in Lahore. She presented laptops and gifts to the Balochistan delegation. The female students of Balochistan presented CM Punjab a traditional Balochi shawl.