PM urges China to include KCR in CPEC schemes

Shehbaz inaugurates Orange Line Metro Bus in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday appreciated China’s role in improving communication in Pakistan and urged Beijing to reconsider the proposal for including the Karachi Circular Railway (CKR) project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Shehbaz inaugurating the Orange Line Metro Bus Service, which runs from Peshawar Morr to New Islamabad International Airport. On the occasion, he announced free-travel on the bus service during the holy month of Ramazan.

Pershawar Morr to Islamabad Airport Orange route is being made operational today. Congratulations to all of you 🇵🇰. Will provide free of cost travel during the holy month of Ramazan.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 18, 2022

The prime minister expressed his gratitude to China and Turkey for their contributions in the public transport projects in Pakistan. “China is a great friend which has always stood by Pakistan and contributed immensely to building Pakistan's economy,” said.

Read: PM directs CDA to start Islamabad metro bus

“The CPEC is a game changer,” the prime minister added. He also praised Turkey for standing by Pakistan in difficult times. He reaffirmed his commitment to work tirelessly for the welfare of the people.
Shehbaz regretted inordinate delay in the operationalisation of the metro service. “This project was a gift from PML-N [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz] Quaid Nawaz Sharif to the residents of the federal capital. It was initiated in 2017 and was to be operationalised in 2018,” he said.

“But like the other projects, the previous government delayed this public transport project as well. The lack of will and spirit delayed this project, otherwise, there was no other reason because funds were available for it during the PTI’s [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] tenure in the government,” he said.

On the occasion, the prime minister announced that that no ticket would be charged from the commuters using this metro service during the holy month of Ramazan. He said that 15 buses had been taken from Punjab Metro Authority to run this service.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)