Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that provision of funds of Rs 33 billion by China for the Orange Line Metro Train (OMT) project is an important milestone and despite speculations and propagandas, China has proved its friendship with Pakistan and written a new history.

He said that OMT is a revolutionary project for providing modern transport facilities of international standard to citizens. He said that only a handful of elite are opposing this project because they travel by planes and luxurious cars and are unaware of the transport problems of the common man.

While talking to members of Punjab Assembly, who met him at the Chief Minister’s Office on Monday, he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government has introduced the culture of transparency, standard and speed in completion of the projects. He said that federal and Punjab governments have set a splendid example by saving Rs 215 billion of the poor nation, which is unprecedented in history.

The CM said that China is a very sincere and reliable friend of Pakistan and supported it in every time of need, adding that cooperation of China in development projects is commendable and Chinese assistance has enabled Pakistan join the ranks of developed countries. “Elements criticising the metro train project are in fact enemies of welfare and betterment of the common citizens. Without paying attention to such cheap tactics and criticism, the PML-N government would complete public welfare projects expeditiously,” he affirmed.

He said that those criticising welfare projects and involved in politics of protests are once again bent upon wasting the precious time of the nation, adding that OMT project is aimed at resolving transport problem of the common man as the masses have a right to have modern, speedy, comfortable and economical facilities of travel.

Those who met the chief minister included Members Punjab Assembly Manan Khan, Muhammad Shahwaiz Khan, Ch Lal Hussain, Muhammad Zeshan Gurmani, Mian Alamdar Abbas Qureshi, Muhammad Imran Qureshi, Syed Qutab Ali Shah and Khalid Ghani Chaudhary.