CM steps up project launch spree

A day before the scheduled hearing by the Lahore High Court (LHC) of a case regarding his de-notification, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi laid the foundation stones of three development projects in the provincial capital on Tuesday.

Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Gulshan Ravi T-Junction Underpass, Samanabad Morr Underpass and Samanabad Stadium projects, the chief minister asserted that Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan is a true and honest leader who was taking every risk for the betterment and welfare of the people. He said those who had attacked Khan and their backers would be caught soon.

“The PML-N will not be seen anywhere and only our work and the PTI will be visible,” the chief minister asserted. He said projects worth Rs20 billion were being started in Lahore, which would be completed in one year. A sports complex and a community centre will be built in Samanabad. The master plan of Lahore was planned while keeping in mind all the aspects.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said the work on the master plan had bene started two years ago under the PTI government. Open tendering was done and the master planning was done by foreign companies.

He said the PML-N’s media cell was waging propaganda against the master plan. “Agricultural and residential land have been demarcated under the master plan, which will help curb the rampant growth of Lahore,” he added.

The CM said Rs7.53 billion would be spent on the Samanabad Morr Underpass, cricket stadium and Gulshan Ravi T Junction projects. The construction of the Samanabad Morr and Gulshan Ravi T Junction underpasses will facilitate the flow of traffic. People of Samanabad, Gulshan Ravi, Tauheed Park, Multan Road, Chauburji, Chowk Yateem Khana and adjacent areas will have ease of transportation, he noted.

The CM said progress was being made to make Lahore a hub of construction and development and a world-class developed city. Future construction activities in Lahore will be carried out under the master plan. He said the Samanabad Cricket Stadium was being constructed at a cost of Rs660 million for the youth, especially the cricketers. The construction of the stadium will give the young players an opportunity to demonstrate their talent, he said. He said work had been started to solve traffic problems by restoring the Gulshan Ravi Junction and Band Road. An amount of Rs4.84 billion will be spent to complete the work in eight months. Meanwhile, roads and sewerage repair and expansion work are in progress from Chauburji to Scheme Morr, LOS bus stop to Multan Road, Poonch Road, Ghazali Road, Qartaba Chowk, Babu Sabu Chowk, Band Road and other routes.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2023.