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Govt achieves another landmark of signing $1.6bn deal with China
The present PML-N government achieved another landmark, as a historic agreement was signed for first-ever Metro Train Project in Pakistan. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif signed the agreement on behalf of the Pakistan government, while Chairman National Development and Reform Commission China, Xu-Shaoshi signed the document on behalf of China for Metro Train Project.
Under the agreement, Orange Line Metro Train Project would facilitate an estimated 250,000 passengers per day, while the ridership would go up to 500,000 passengers per day in the year 2025. The route of Orange Line Metro Train Project would be from Thokar Niaz Baig, Multan Road, Chauburji, Mall Road, Laxami Chowk, Railway Station, Garhi Shahu Bridge, G.T. Road, Pakistan Mint, up to Dera Gujran in Lahore. The total length of Orange Line Metro Train Project would be 27.1-km while 25.4-km track will be elevated. The construction work would be initiated during the current year and would be completed within a period of 27 months, at an estimated cost of US$1.6 billion.
After the glorious success of metro bus project, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has signed agreement with China to give the historic gift of metro train to the people of Pakistan.
Shahbaz Sharif had surprised the whole world by completing metro bus project in Lahore in a record period of time with the cooperation of Turkey and this project has also been started in Rawalpindi-Islamabad on which work is in progress round the clock.
The agreement of metro train project signed during the visit of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to China is another unique honor as he has already completed metro bus project in Lahore a short time ago, which is benefiting around 175,000 citizens daily.
Shahbaz Sharif is indeed making all out efforts in the service of the people and by launching metro train project after metro bus he has fulfilled the promise made to the people in the general elections.
Terming the agreement on Metro Train Project with China as historic, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Metro Train Project would prove to be a landmark in the history of the country as it would provide modern and better traveling facilities to the general public, besides bringing about a revolution in the transport system. He said the Chinese government will provide investment for Metro Train Project, while Chinese companies will design, construct and monitor the project, whereas Punjab Government would provide all necessary facilities in this regard. He said the Government of Pakistan’s Muslim League-N is taking revolutionary steps, in coordination with friendly countries, for the provision of better traveling facilities and welfare of the masses. He said that Orange Line Metro Train Project is a part of government agenda to serve the masses, which would be expeditiously completed within the stipulated period, while a high standard of construction, speed and transparency will also be maintained.
Shahbaz Sharif said PML-N leadership had promised the masses in provision of modern traveling facilities and it is ensuring fulfillment of that promise expeditiously. He said as Metro Bus Project is being expanded to other cities after Lahore, Metro Train Project would also be expanded to other cities as well. He said the common man has equal right to travel comfortably and it is not the right of the rich class only. He said initiation of Metro Train Project is a part of government program to provide modern traveling facilities to the common man. He said we are highly grateful to China for its assistance in development projects, which would not have been possible without personal interest of Chinese leadership.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the existing warmth in the economic cooperation of China with Pakistan reflects the confidence of China in Pakistani leadership.
He said that China is well aware of the fact that such a leadership is in power in Pakistan which considers every penny of public money as a sacred trust. He said that the projects started with the cooperation of China in Punjab will be executed at the same speed at which metro bus, Nandipur power project, solar park and other projects of national importance are being completed. He said that speed, transparency and quality are the hallmark of development strategy of the government and no compromise will be made in this regard.
The Chief Minister said that he has emphasized upon the heads of Chinese companies working in energy sector in Punjab that there should not be any shortage in the provision of funds so that these projects could be completed within the timeframe. Similarly, he said, he has asked these companies to give necessary authority to their offices in Pakistan so that delay in decisions should not affect the pace of the project.
Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that these companies have agreed with this stance and he is confident that the ongoing development projects with the cooperation of China will be completed before the timeframe.
Citing the example of Nandipur power project, the Chief Minister said that the project which kept pending for three years due to indifference of former government will be completed in six months before the stipulated period under the new schedule which will save Pakistan billions of rupees.
The Chief Minister further said that the authorities of Exim Bank have agreed to give required concession in the rate of profit and terms of payment for which he is grateful to the Chinese government. He said that apart from Pak-China friendship, this gesture also shows the confidence of Chinese authorities in Punjab government with regard to its track record in energy and other sectors during the last one year.
