Lahore Metro Bus Service consisting of 27 bus stations has been inaugurated. It’s worth mentioning that a high level delegation, led by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister participated in the inaugural ceremony as the project has been completed with the collaboration of Turkey. Last year, on February 5, the ground was broken for the project. Work on the 27 km long project started on March 12. Surprisingly, the project was completed within a short span of time. The cost of the project is around Rs 30 billion. It will offer a safe, reliable and comfortable transport and save time and fuel for general public. It would, hopefully, bring a social and economic change.
Balochistan, the largest province is a victim of poverty and terrorism. Sadly, the political government did not implement ‘Aghaz Haqooq-e-Balochistan Bill’ in letter and in spirit. Now, development projects should be initiated in Balochistan on a priority basis. Talal Bugti also attended the inaugural ceremony. It’s high time that economic and political issues of Balochistan were addressed amicably. Recently, Pakistan has handed over Gwadar Port to China that will surely open a new era of development in Balochistan. It’s important that now the poverty-stricken common man, not the elite class, should be the beneficiary.
Unfortunately, Pakistan has been pushed back to the ‘stone age’ and the masses have been deprived of basic necessities. Our political leadership is bent on looting resources available in the country. Shortage of electricity, gas, oil and above all unemployment, have made the common man’s life miserable. Fake degree holders, corrupt and convicted politicians have earned a bad name for Pakistan and put the economy of the state at stake. NRO, Rental Power Project, Haj scam, Steel Mill, PIA, NLC cases all speak of corruption in Pakistan. Our leaders have no regard for Pakistan and its people. Reportedly half of the populations, in an agricultural country, are suffering from food deficiency!
Our political leadership should now be talking about what they will do to right the wrongs of last five years. Now is the time when there should be soul-searching on what has been achieved and lost in the last five years. Our politicians need to adopt austerity measures and government funds should be spent on the welfare of the masses, not on giving more pleasures and perks to MNAs and MPAs. Shahbaz Sharif has set an example for other provinces to launch development projects for the masses. Making Pakistan a welfare state and putting it on the road to prosperity. Our resources must be exploited and Pakistan should be built by Pakistanis for Pakistanis.
PEERZADAH ABDUL HAFEEZ,
Multan, February 10.