LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that provision of safe, comfortable and reliable transport facilities to the masses is the priority of the government and solid measures are being taken for the provision of the same in the metropolis as well as in other major cities of the province. He directed Lahore Transport Company to carry out immediate planning for plying 200 to 300 diesel buses in the City next month whereas CNG buses should be brought on the roads in the second phase. He said besides CNG buses, subsidy should also be given on diesel buses to encourage investment in this sector. The CM was presiding over high level meeting regarding provision of modern transport facilities to the people in the province here Friday. Member Provincial Assembly Mohsin Latif, Secretary Transport, Chairman Lahore Transport Company, Commissioner Lahore Division, DIG Traffic as well as senior officers concerned were present. The CM said public transport system is an indicator of the level of development and awareness of the people of a country and no nation can move ahead without an organized and efficient transport system. He said keeping in view the importance of transport system, the government is paying special attention to the development of this sector and provision of reliable and modern transport facilities to the masses. He said besides foreign investors, local investors and transporters should also be encouraged and motivated for investment in this sector. He said in addition to CNG buses, subsidy should also be given on diesel buses so that locally manufactured diesel buses could also be seen on the roads and local investors could make maximum investment in this sector. The CM said he wants provision of modern transport facilities to the people at all cost and the company should undertake short-term and long-term planning for this purpose. He said that in the first phase, upto 300 diesel buses should be brought on the roads immediately and most of these buses should be air-conditioned. He said order should immediately be placed for the import of more CNG buses so that after diesel buses, CNG buses could also be used for providing better transport facilities to the citizens. He also directed Secretary Transport to submit recommendations for the provision of modern transport facilities to people of other major cities of the province on the pattern of Lahore. Chairman Lahore Transport Company Tasneem Noorani while giving details of the steps taken for the provision of better transport facilities to the people of Lahore informed that negotiations are being held with various foreign investors in this regard while local investors and transporters are also being encouraged.