Shahbaz for early compensation payment

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the biggest package of history worth Rs 20 billion has been announced for the payment of compensation to the owners of the land acquired for Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project and he is personally monitoring its implementation. 

He said payments are being made to the landowners by meeting all demands of justice and the interests of everyone will be safeguarded. 

He said due compensation will be paid to the owners of the land besides additional amounts are also be given as compensation for the constructed building, loss to business and relocation of residence.

The CM issued instructions to further accelerate the pace of payment of compensation. He said a comprehensive system has been evolved for payment of compensation and the entire process of verification is completed immediately at one-window payment centres set up under the new system. 

He was addressing a meeting through video link at civil secretariat on Thursday which reviewed in detail the process of payment of compensation to the affectees of Orange Line Metro Train Project. The CM said only enemies to the development of Pakistan are opposing this splendid project of public welfare but they will be disappointed as they are hindering the process of prosperity of the country only for the achievement of their personal interests. Shehbaz Sharif said the elements criticising this biggest project of Pakistan are in fact enemies of the common man and the development of the country.

Meanwhile, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiq-ul-Farooq has said that the Punjab government would pay Rs1 million to each affected tenant of the Trust whose residences are falling in the route of Orange Line Metro Train.

According to a press release issued here Thursday, the ETPB Chairman clarified that ETPB would not be responsible for any compensation in this regard, adding that the government would also pay for the land and other infrastructure of the Trust which would fall in the route of the train.

He said that federal government had directed the ETPB not to pay a single penny as development charges to DHA Lahore, adding, DHA and ETPB might have to move Supreme Court to settle certain ambiguities in the land deal.