Desires to have strong Pak-Saudi strategic, trade ties
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the journey of the progress of Pakistan had resumed after the four years of halted development during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Addressing here at the inauguration of the mass transit bus project on Peshawar Mor to Islamabad International Airport route, he said being the representative of the coalition government, he would ensure fast implementation of the delayed or suspended projects of public importance.
The Islamabad Metro Bus Service project, which was due to become operational by 2018, faced a massive delay by the previous government and was launched within five days after PM Shehbaz Sharif assumed his office. The 25.6-kilometer bus route will benefit an estimated 50,000 commuters on daily basis. PM Shehbaz said the project was a gift from the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif to the people of Islamabad aimed at facilitating them through a decent transport service. He regretted that the route plan of Islamabad was reduced abruptly to cut the cost from Rs 16 billion to Rs 12 billion, which he said, caused immense loss to the materialization of the project.
He said though the development funds were available to complete the public welfare projects during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, however, the will to serve the masses was lacking. PM Sharif mentioned that the Pakistan Muslim League government during the previous tenure had launched the mass transit projects in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan. He pointed out that the PTI government regrettably took stay orders from the courts to suspend the projects of public importance. He said the Orange Line mass transit train, which was a gift from China, faced litigation by the PTI that caused its delay by over two years. He said other than a few technical points regarding the survey of the Orange Line project, no trace of corruption was found by the courts.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said during the PTI government, the national economy suffered immensely and even the defence expenditure was borne by the debt money. The prime minister expressed gratitude to China and Turkey for contributing to the launch of public transport system in Pakistan. He termed China a great friend that stood by Pakistan throughout history, adding that the Chinese leadership always supported Pakistan at all international forums. He mentioned that China greatly contributed to strengthening Pakistan’s economy and expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a game-changer for the country.
He urged China to also support Pakistan in the launch of Karachi Circular Railway for the benefit of the people of the metropolitan. PM Sharif thanked Turkey for supporting Pakistan since its establishment and recalled that the Muslims of the sub-continent had also supported the cause of freedom of Turkey. He said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was a leader with a vision and stood by Pakistan during various challenges. Shehbaz Sharif said 15 buses would be taken from Punjab Mass Transit Authority, Rawalpindi for an interim period till the new fleet was added to Islamabad metro service. He announced a free-of-cost metro bus service for passengers during the holy month of Ramazan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed the desire to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia in diverse fields including strategic ties, trade and investment. The prime minister expressed these views while talking to Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Bin Saeed Al-Maliki, who called on him to felicitate on assuming the office. PM Shehbaz Sharif said the government looked forward to benefitting from Saudi Arabia in its expertise in various sectors including education, health, information technology, and alternative clean energy resources. The Saudi envoy congratulated Shehbaz Sharif and expressed confidence that under his leadership, the friendly relations between the two countries would further grow.