Metro train: All affected to be paid compensation: CM

Camps to be set up to assist claimants.

LAHORE: Every citizen affected by the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project will be paid full compensation, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.

He was presiding over a meeting to review the project and the process of compensation for the affected people.

“The biggest compensation payment package in the history has been started. The demands of justice will be fulfilled,” he said. The chief minister directed the officials to complete the payment of compensation within the next few days and said that he would personally monitor the process.

He said that separate camps would be set up for men and women for the payment of compensation. “All steps needed should be taken to facilitate the affected people in these camps. They should also be provided transport for visiting the camps. Special committees should be set up for redressing the grievances of the affected people. Ministers, assembly members and officials concerned should remain present at the camps,” he said. He directed the Lahore commissioner and the CCPO to visit the camps daily.

“Those criticising the project are opposed to progress. The project will benefit millions of people. It will also be an example of high quality and transparency,” he said.

Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan and the Lahore Development Authority DG briefed the meeting about the compensation process. Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Bilal Yasin, Adviser to CM Khawaja Salman Rafiq, MNAs Pervaiz Malik, Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Afzal Khokhar and Government Spokesman Zaeem Hussain Qadri attended the meeting.

Coal power project

A meeting was held to review progress on the 1,320 megawatt coal power plant in Qadirabad, Sahiwal. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif attended the function. Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the Chinese company working on the project president and Chinese Consul General in Lahore Yu Born were also present.

“The project will be completed before December 25, 2017. Work on 3,600MW gas-based electricity projects has also been started,” he said.

Intezar Hussain

The chief minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of writer Intezar Hussain. “We have been deprived of a great Urdu story writer. The deceased was one of the writers who inspire many generations of people,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2016.