LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Turkey had completed Metro Bus Service (MBS) in two and a half years, but the Punjab government would complete the same in less than one year.
Presiding over the first meeting of Metro Bus Authority on Monday, the chief minister said the Punjab government had paid attention to transparency and high standards in the project like all others, and every penny of the national exchequer was being spent on the public welfare.
Shahbaz ordered making recruitments in the Punjab Metro Bus Authority on merit and without conceding to pressure from any side in this regard. He also lauded the performance of the officers working on this project who were making history by completing this mega project in a short time.
“The Punjab Metro Bus Authority (PMBA) has been set up to provide modern and comfortable transport facilities to the people across the province. The Authority will ensure secure and comfortable bus operation, and it will also be responsible for making effective security arrangements of the Metro Bus Project,” he held.
He said a modern system was being introduced to keep the route of the Metro bus service clean, and for that purpose, an agreement was being signed with the Lahore Waste Management System. An effective system has been designed to stop entry of unconcerned persons and general vehicles to the Metro Bus Route, and huge fine will be imposed on violators.
Shahbaz directed the Metro Bus Authority should be operated in a professional way because Punjab government has launched the Metro Bus Project to provide fast and comfortable public transport facilities to the masses, and wanted to expand it to other cities. He said due to the Metro Bus Service, the people will cover long distances in short time.
The managing director of the Authority gave a detailed briefing to the chief minister. During the meeting, the chief minister approved budget and posts for the authority, and also formed a recruitment committee.
Also, Shahbaz strongly condemned the bomb blast in Jamrod Bazar, Khyber Agency. He expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. Also, the chief minister presided over a meeting at Model Town today to review the progress of the case of a boy murdered in a Rice Mill at Jalal Pur Bhattian, Hafizabad.
Secretary Home, Secretary Prosecution, CCPO Gujranwala, DPO Hafizabad, DG Forensic Science Agency and the heirs of the slain child attended the meeting. Secretary Home informed about the progress made in the murder case so far.
The chief minister on this occasion said the accused involved in abuse and killing of the boy will not escape punishment. He assured that justice would be provided to the victim family at all cost. The chief minister directed that strict action should be taken against the police officers and officials involved in delaying investigation at any stage.
“The police officials have shown criminal negligence for not conducting investigation in the right direction,” he added. Shahbaz said those police officers or officials who destroyed evidences deserved no leniency.
He said that police should support the oppressed and take action against the cruel. He warned that deterrent punishment will be awarded to the government officials who showed criminal negligence.