LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the green card scheme, which would provide cheap public transport to as many as 125,000 students in the provincial capital, will be expanded to all cities of the province.
Addressing a ceremony organised by Lahore Transport Company (LTC) at CM’s Secretariat on Saturday to launch Student Green Cards, the chief minister said the scheme was a significant step toward ensuring socioeconomic welfare of the masses.
Like in the past, the PML-N government has adopted measures for providing comfortable, quality and economical travelling facilities to the public through a modern transport system, under which air-conditioned buses are operating in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad.
Shahbaz said the Metro Bus System, which was the biggest development project in the history of the country, would become functional this year, and will ensure provision of rapid transport to the citizens. The scope of this project was being expanded to all big cities of the province, he added.
The CM said the students are future of the nation; therefore, his government, besides taking steps to impart them quality education, was ensuring easier and cheaper travel for them. Using Student Green Cards they can travel to any part of the city for only Rs 10 in a dignified manner, he added.
Shahbaz alleged that national exchequer was looted in the name of subsidy and public transport during the term of previous government but no pragmatic steps were taken for provision of better transport to the citizens.
Planes, helicopters and luxury vehicles were imported for the use of the elite then, but, sadly, the lower classes of society were forced to travel in the rundown busses, he added.
Advisers to CM Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz and Zaeem Hussain Qadri, LTC Chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hasaan, vice chairman Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmed, Punjab assembly members, bus operators, parents, teachers and a large number of students were present on the occasion.
LTC chairman said that unprecedented development works were being carried out throughout the province under the dynamic leadership of Shahbaz Sharif and the Modern Public Transport System and Student Green Card Scheme was reflective of his vision. Khwaja Ahmad Hasaan informed that LTC has already initiated free cards for special persons and elderly citizens. He said that Student Card Scheme has been initiated for all public colleges and universities of the city.
DPOs open courts: Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif Saturday directed the District Police Officers (DPOs) throughout the province to hold Khuli Katcheries (open courts) to hear the public complaints and ensure their early resolution.
Hearing public complaints himself at his tent office, the CM also directed the civil servants to do their best to serve the masses and deal with them politely and courteously.
He issued instructions to the relevant departments for redress of various complaints, besides providing financial assistance to some poor complainants.
A delegation of representatives and dwellers of different residential societies met the CM and apprised him of their problems relating to residential facilities and law and order. The CM said that police have the foremost duty to protect life, honour and property of the citizens. He warned of strict action to the police and other government officers if they showed negligence.
Shahbaz said that administration and owners of such residential societies as do not provide basic facilities to their residents deserve no leniency and strict action should be taken against them. He directed that foolproof security arrangements be made for these residential schemes, in consultation with the office-bearers of the societies.