Can't compensate losses opposition cost Orange Line Train project: CM Shehbaz
Public transport systems in all of the developing countries are subsidized and not for profits: CM
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chief minister Shehbaz Sharif has said on Sunday that he is unable to compensate for the loss that Orange Line Train project has bore in nearly two years and constraction is halted at as many as 11 points owing to petitions filed by the opposition parties.
CM Shehbaz addressed a ceremony in Lahore regarding the project and said that those criticising metro project do not know that public transport systems in all of the developing countries are subsidized and not made for profits.
CM Shehbaz said that ‘Niazi Khan’ criticised the government for metro projects whereas not one brick laid for a like project that he announced more than four years ago in Peshawar.
He said that the leader of China, Xi Jinping told him and Nawaz Sharif in a meeting that Orange Line Train was a gift for the people of Lahore and Punjab from China.
The chief minister also said that the project comes with an easy 20-year instalment plan which has a grace period of first seven years. In other words, it means that Pakistan does not have to pay anything for the first seven years.
Punjab chief minister further criticised chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf by saying that he shifted his base to the mountains when Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was hit by dengue.
He said that PTI chief alleged that Rs 70 billion were spent on metro bus project in Lahore whereas he could not prove Rs 35 billion in court.
He said that the provincial government would accept whatever the courts decide the fate of Orange Line Train project.
The chief claimed that those who emptied the national treasury in rental power project are criticising Orange Line Train project. He said that a bloody revolution is a possibility if the opponents attempt to hinder country’s progress.
A train engine and five coaches were handed over the provincial government in the ceremony today. Orange Line Train is equipped with engines to hit a maximum speed of 80km/hour and each coach has four entry and exit points.
