PTI to rally opposition against metro project

Joint meeting of opposition parties to discuss project expected on Thursday

LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has called a meeting of opposition parties to formulate a joint-strategy on the metro train project.

The meeting, called by Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, will be held on Thursday. Parliamentary leaders of all opposition parties are expected to deliberate over the Orange Line Metro Train project.



Talking to The Express Tribune, Rasheed said that the meeting would focus on a two-point agenda: the metro train project and the formulation of a joint strategy to force the government to revise its spending priorities.



During his visit to Lahore in December last year, PTI chief Imran Khan had urged the party to forge links with opposition parties to put up strong resistance against the government.

“The Jamaat-i-Islami, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid will be represented at the meeting. Our aim is to generate a debate that shall take into consideration all aspects of the mega project. We want to urge the government to address the genuine concerns first,” he said.

Recently, the JI and the PML-Q have voiced concerns over the metro train project.

“Other than developing a consensus against the metro project, the meeting will also focus on a joint strategy to align government priorities in accordance with the needs of the people,” he said.

The Punjab Assembly is also expected to be in session on Friday. Rasheed intends to raise the issue in the House. “All major projects have been approved and initiated without a debate in the House,” he said.

“Plans to stage massive protests against the project are also on the table for the PTI if the government ignores our concerns,” Rasheed said.

The PPP and the PML-Q have already expressed the intention of taking part in the meeting. Rasheed said the PTI was hopeful regarding an alliance.



“We have also initiated a focused campaign in the health sector. We will visit the Mayo Hospital, the Punjab Institute of Cardiology and the Lahore General Hospital,” he said.

Also, on Tuesday, Rasheed submitted an adjournment motion at the Punjab Assembly secretariat, demanding that the government make up for the missing medical facilities at Mayo Hospital. He had visited the hospital on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2016.