The application to the court stated that the project is largely driven by corruption and asked that the Supreme Court to order an investigation into the matter. The Punjab government is named as a respondent in the application.
Further, the petition stated that Murree Road - which runs from Islamabad to Rawalpindi - was dug up, causing a lot of problems for traders who use that route to transport goods. The fundamental rights of people are being violated by the project, it stated further.
The request was filed under Article 184 (3) of the constitution which states: "Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 199, the Supreme Court shall, if it considers that a question of public importance with reference to the enforcement of any of the fundamental rights conferred by Chapter I of Part II is involved have the power to make an order of the nature mentioned in the said Article."
COMMENTS (33)
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@W: Which world do you live in? Beauty of Islamabad was already destroyed when 7th and 9th avenue were built. If you could defend those two avenues how could you criticize two extra lanes on barren green belt with minimal of trees. I guess you became too numb with the inability of PPP government to build one single road and now all the work is kind of putting you off. Trust me it will be completed by January and all this destruction will fade away just like the destruction of 7th and 9th avenue. Even the Kashmir highway is about to get completed but you never uttered a word in last 5 years when PPP failed to build it.
All big projects create some inconvenience temporarily and the public is expected to bear it for comfort in the near future else there won't be any development at all. Corruption alone can not be a valid argument to stop the project. Instead raise the issue of corruption ( prevailing in every sphere of life ) and fight against it but again but sorry to say that corruption with varying degree is acceptable in the society and it is not considered a menace. so there is no will to fight against it.
@Humza: I still do not agree with you but I respect your opinion on this matter.
@W: Sheikh Rasheed did nothing so he is opposing this project out of spite. No one in their right mind disputes the need for an urban mass transit system for the twin cities. Common people, students and labourers stand to get the most benefit. I live in Pindi / Islamabad and have not come across anyone who is against this project apart from some rich Islooites.
@W: You must be Twin city tranporter, who has been exploiting poor people for many years, Please stop providing us insubtantial reasoning against this project.. And now your time is over and twin city people will enjoy world class transport at best affordable rates.
Reading some of the comments some decry the Metro Bus system others demonize Mr. Rasheed but no one talks about the intensity of corruption in every facet off your lives that affects you all as you & past generations have accepted it as a way of life. The corruption that permeates through Pakistan is the fault of each one of you. Surprising that Pakistanis who have studied in Texas & know how everyday corruption has ZERO tolerance go back to Pakistan and succumb to the sickness of corruption. Trying to rid Pakistan of corruption is a tall order but climbing mountains starts with baby steps. Singapore was able to eliminate corruption & they made no claims to being a religious country the why can't Pakistan?
@shahid Waseem: Thumbs Up.
@Sheikh Tahseen: I'm smelling some thing burning. LoL for .... go man your boss is calling you in Sialkot!!!
The people of Karachi deserve a better public transport system, it is most surprising that this biggest city of the country does not have a decent transport system. It is a great shame on the local government, provincial government, transport authorities, that poor people of the city have to travel the ways they do, i.e. on the roof tops of buses, when will the people concerned do something, just why cannot this be done, why cannot more buses be put on the road, why cannot better newer buses be put on the road, what is so difficult in doing so, can someone answer?.This city has entrepreneurs, business people, transport experts, but we just keep on talking and talking, nothing gets done, what happened to the green bus system, one would want to know, why everything good that is done simple fails??. There has to be a concerted long term effort to provide better transport system there is a great demand for a better system. Please do something for the people.
Better submit here at SHC and the roads will remain dug for years to come like Clifton flyover and underpass. SHC never took notice against cleaning of mangroves by CBC and DHA as injurious to environment but halted work on projects that could minimize traffic congestion thus pollution
The amount of money being spent on metro on a single route can be utilized to provide transport system on all the routes/ areas, and people wont have to wait too long on the bus stop and also the space will be available in the buses
sorry to say but this is simply show off
We used to have a vast and affordable network of public transport, Punjab Urban Transport System, and the GTS up until 1993, when Nawaz Sharif destroyed it completely for the sake of his Yellow Cab gimmicks.
Now he wants to build metrobuses, and he is destroying everything else. He uses public money (btw he never paid any taxes until last year) to further his business interests in the guise of mega projects. Major contractors are none but his front companies. It used to be RedCo for the Yellow Cab Scam.
I am not endorsing Sheikh's moves. we need metro at any cost. on daily basis, there are thousands of commuters who travelled b/w Isb and Rwp and they are all at mercy of private transporters. Travelling in those vans is highly humiliated. Sheikh Sb and all other anti-metro haven't expeienced such humilation. I ask them to travel in I-C or 120 van from flashman to Secretariat Blue Area then they would be able to know level of disrespect and humilation. Metro bus is for poor and middle class not for elite who live in ACs homes and cars and never saw such experiences. dont politicize matters. Sheihk Sb is also MNA so come up with another development plan and help your community!
Opposing Metro Bus Project does not mean opposing of Nawaz Government. Sometime, decisions are taken to keep the environment natural. Natural Beauty makes Islamabad different from other big cities of Pakistan.
@SHADI: How many workers work in Islamabad. U can run normal buses as like past i.e.VRAN BUSES, which were running well enough covering all the areas of Islamabad. Metro Bus Project is the DESTRUCTION of ISLAMABAD not the DEVELOPMENT of ISLAMABAD. We all must oppose this project to protect Beauty of the City.
this guy is good for nothing... he was given enough opportunities as federal minister but he did nothing, took full part in destruction of railways. Without knowing the details of Metro Project I can safely say his moto is "na khelein gey na khelney dein gey"
@SHADI: Please be a bit more respectful! Hope you have fun travelling on the Metro Bus.. Maybe you will see light at the end of the tunnel (pun intended)!
Sheikh Rashid is acting like a sore loser. Public transport is in a miserable state. Metro bus is the need of hour n this project will add to the beauty of twin cities.
He said ,he is poor man, how he hired Lawyer for SC.???????
Good work Sheikh. Nooners just know how to waste money. Motorway has already proved to be farce show off project.
It should be addressed well in time its too late to stop the projec.
Sheikh is afraid once this project is completed,his political career will be over forever..:)
That is the problem with the sponsored leadership. If this logic defying stunt is taken into account, the world mega cities would have been still in stone age.
The Metro Bus project is not economically feasible and would require perpetual subsidies. We are already paying for the ill conceived private power projects and now we will also have to pay for another white elephant.
@ W its beauty for those who can afford cars! regular wage workers need a bus to get to people. This project is good for the country and the local people! and look at the petition he filed, instead of pointing out some clear problem or law that is been broken he says the project is full of corruption -_-. Keep ur petty politics aside and at least let these projects tht benefit poor ppl get done!
Metro Bus Project is of no use ... It is only beneficial to some Businessmen turned Politicians who have shares in Bus Companies which provide Buses for Metro Project ...!!!
Why he making hurdle in such a public facilitation project. Does his politics in danger after competition of this mega project?
@ryzvonusef: This is destruction, not development!
This is infuriating, why is he blocking the project out of political spite?
He couldn't make the Nullah Lai Expressway when he was in government, now he won't let anybody do any development either!
This Metro Bus project is destroying the beauty of Islamabad! Enough with the gimmicks of the Sharif brothers! Glad to see Sheikh Rasheed take a step against the project!