LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated on Wednesday Pakistan's first sightseeing double-decker bus service for tourists in the provincial capital.

The double-decker bus service, namely "Sightseeing Lahore", is part of a project of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) to promote cultural and historical heritage of the province.

"Initially, two open-roof double-decker buses have been introduced for guided tour of the historical city while three more buses will be imported from China in the second phase."

The chief minister, accompanied by Provincial Minister for Tourism Rana Mashhood and former chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmed Hassan, travelled in the bus from the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Talking to media, Shahbaz said it was the first time in the country's history that a double-decker bus service was being launched in Lahore, adding that it would add to the city's beauty.

"Tourists from not only Lahore but from other cities would also find amusement in this service."

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He said that the general public, especially children would travel and visit historic places of the city.

The chief minister directed the managing director of TDCP to "leave no stone unturned" in providing the best atmosphere to tourists.

Responding to a query, Shahbaz said that he faced criticism for developing public welfare projects such as Metro Bus Service and Orange Line. However, he added, that his services to the masses would continue, defying all criticism.

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In a jovial mood, he told a reporter that people "opposing the project" would also travel and rejoice from the bus service.

Elaborating details of the service, the chief minister said that each bus, whose route will cover "almost every historical site in the city", has a seating capacity of 48 persons on the upper deck and 18 on the lower one.

He said that a bus terminal had been established near Punjab Stadium on Ferozepur Road while another terminal had been built near Food Street on Fort Road.

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The vehicles are equipped with a sound system to guide tourists about the city's history and places of interest along the route.

Children under the age of ten and disabled persons are exempted from paying the Rs200 fare of the bus service.