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Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the Lahore mass transit project will further strengthen Pakistan-China friendship. - File photo
LAHORE: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Punjab government and Chinese international company NORINCO regarding Lahore mass transit project.
Under the agreement, a 27km long railway track will be laid from Gaju Matta on Ferozpur Road to Shahdara of which 7km long portion will be underground.Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan and Vice President NORINCO Zhang Shipping signed the document on behalf of Punjab government and China respectively.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Member Provincial Assembly Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, high-ups of Lahore Transport Company and representatives of NORINCO were also present on the occasion.Talking to media on the occasion, the Chief Minister welcomed the agreement for Lahore mass transit project with Chinese state company NORINCO and said that soft opening of the project will be made on 14th August 2011.
He said that it is a unique project as the Chinese company by announcing that it will not take even a single penny as profit proved that China is a true and sincere friend of Pakistan. Moreover, the project will be an invaluable gift by the Chinese government for the people of Lahore, the Punjab as well as the whole country.
Furthermore, he said that there are deep-rooted relations between China and Pakistan and Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans and sweeter than honey. Also, China has stood by Pakistan in every hour of need and helped Pakistan wholeheartedly. Moving on, he said that friendship between the two countries is also reflected in the agreement signed with Chinese company NORINCO regarding Lahore mass transit project.
He also informed them that NORINCO is a renowned Chinese company which has executed numerous projects of human development and prosperity and also set up metro systems. Besides this, thousands of people are benefiting from the mass transit projects executed by the company in Beijing, Shanghai and Tehran.
The completion of Lahore mass transit project will not only provide modern transport facilities to the people of provincial metropolis but of the whole country and the project will be completed by working round-the-clock. In addition to that, a number of agreements were signed between Punjab government and China for cooperation in various sectors during his visit to China which include the glorious project of Lahore mass transit.
Replying to the questions of media, he said that politicians and rulers have not come up to the expectations of the masses during the 63 years history of the country. While the elite have all the facilities at their doorstep, the poor and the common man are deprived of even basic amenities. Also, the Punjab government has diverted resources to the welfare of the people and all available funds are being utilized in a transparent manner on the provision of basic facilities to the people.
Mr. Sharif stated that people have elected us and we are their servants and not the rulers and every penny of public money is being spent on the betterment and uplift of the masses in a highly transparent manner.
He said that the country is facing terrorism and a number of other problems but the nation will come out of these crises and achieve the goal of national progress and prosperity.
Replying to a question about the possibility of rollback of welfare projects by the future governments, the Chief Minister said that Daanish schools, Aashiayna housing project, supply of free medicines and mobile health units are such welfare-oriented projects of Punjab government which no one can rollback and if anyone tried to do so he will taken to task by the masses.
Vice President NORINCO, Zhang Shipping while speaking on the occasion, said that Pakistan and China are bound together in unswerving ties of friendship and Lahore mass transit project will usher in a new era of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Also, the project will reflect Pak-China friendship and NORINCO will not take any profit from the project. The Chinese bank Exim will provide loan for the project. He said that he had held talks with Lahore Transport Company and other departments during last two weeks and has excellent working relationship with them.
He said that Mr. Sharif has taken personal interest in the project which will result in provision of modern transport facilities to the masses and that the Lahore mass transit project will be completed in four years and Chinese company will also provide technology to Punjab in this regard.
In addition to this, the Lahore mass transit project is a precious gift by China for the people of Punjab which is being initiated as a result of lengthy negotiations with the dynamic and dignified leadership of Punjab.Earlier, Vice President NORINCO and his delegation gave a briefing regarding Lahore mass transit project and highlighted its various aspects.
I think the issue might be bigger…2 points to note:
1. In the last few decades, we have seen higher concentration of investment projects in Punjab (I am from Punjab by the way) as compared to other underprivileged provinces. The fear is this, if this trend were to continue, it can potentially aggravate the grievances of our brethren in under-served geographies and can marginalize them further economically.
2. There are no romantic episodes between countries. China is beginning to make investments in Pakistan in order to pry open Pakistan's consumer market in the long run. If that were to happen, it would be a significant blow to our domestic businesses, since our industries are not mature enough yet to benefit from the challenges of free trade.
Lahore is a Humongously populated city with over crowded buses and other transports creating too many problems for everyone, Mass Transit is very much needy project, whatever and whoever is completing it but it is the esteem need of Lahore!! Benefitting to all stakeholders:
1. Awam (People)
2. Environment
3. Energy crisis
4. Ruling / supervising government
5. Trend setter for more such economical, time saving, ebergy and cost saving projects
6. More Durable relations with China, for such needed projects
Just DO It and see the resultsss!!
Looking at the last three and a half year development under Mr Sharif provincial government, it is very true to say that he does not qualify as Chief Minister Punjab. He must accept that he is just Chief Minister Lahore. His most actions display his role as Mayor or DCO of Lahore. He has failed to initiate development project for any other city of Punjab, in addition to a lot of other failure by his government.
I second Raza's thoughts though I am a resident of Lahore. Currently living in rawalpindi, have noticed that Sharif is only Khadim-e-Lahore and not Khadim-e-Punjab!