LAHORE – The Punjab government has decided to charge metro bus service (MBS) passengers from February 18 (Monday), fixing Rs20 from Gajjumata to Shahdara.
This was decided at a Metro Bus Authority meeting presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at Model Town Friday. Lahore Transport Company Chairman Khawaja Ahmed Hassaan, MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif and other people concerned attended the meeting.
Shahbaz said that people are benefiting from the transporting facility. Affordable fare has been fixed for the people and the passengers traveling any stop from Gajjumata to Shahdarah will have to pay only Rs20.
Pakistan has been included in the few countries of the world where modern transportation is available.
The Punjab government, keeping in view the public welfare, has completed this project in a transparent manner, he added. He said the buses have been plied for common man and their safeguard is also the responsibility of the people.
He said that demonstrating discipline is chief essential for fully benefiting from the travelling facilities of international standard.
The Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif disclosed that assembly members are available at every bus station for the guidance of passengers.
Meeting for senior citizens: Adviser to Chief Minister Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said that with the passage of Senior Citizens’ Bill 2013, all facilities would be available to the elderly persons.
She was addressing a consultative meeting held regarding Senior Citizens’ Welfare Bill 2013. The meeting was arranged by Punjab Social Welfare Department with the collaboration of Jaag Welfare Movement and Helping Age International.
Secretary Social Welfare Malik Tahir Sarfaraz Awan, Director General Social Welfare Malik Aslam, MPAs Anjum Safdar, Hafiz Akram, Abdul Quddus Akhtar, representatives of NGOs and concerned departments attended the meeting.
Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that the number of persons, over sixty years of age, would reach one billion within the next ten years which is a point to ponder for us because this increase is multiplying our problems.
She said that we have to take care of our parents as per the Islamic teachings. She said it is regrettable that the elderly persons are being neglected in our society.
Secretary Social Welfare, Malik Tahir Sarfaraz Awan said that population-wise, Pakistan is the 6th biggest country of the world where the number of persons over sixty is above one crore.
He said that we should benefit from the presence of elderly persons and their experience.
Director General of Social Welfare Malik Aslam said that the process of passing Senior Citizens’ Bill 2013 is underway with the consultation of other departments.
The meeting reviewed the problems confronted by senior citizens besides setting up of a Welfare Council for them. Director Programme, Hafiz Akram briefed the meeting regarding Senior Citizens Bill 201.