ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif laid the foundation for a new Metro route that will connect the capital to the almost-completed Islamabad Airport near Fateh Jang and promised to breathe back life into dormant projects abandoned by the previous governments. Speaking to journalists, the prime minister said there was so much corruption in the country that “if we get involved in investigations, then it will take up all of our timeâ€, adding that there were so many corruption scandals and frauds that they couldn’t even be listed.The PM said projects that should have been completed in two years were dragged on for 20 years and still remain incomplete. He vowed to breathe back life into the “sickâ€, dormant projects that have continued to burden the national exchequer but failed to show any substantial results.“The infrastructure projects initiated under our administration will definitely see the light of the day,†Sharif promised, adding that speed was a pre-requisite for a country geared towards progress.
When asked why some people are opposing the development of road networks, the PM highlighted that infrastructure is a sign of progress. “Come, let us pray, that God points them in the right direction,†he responded in an extemporary manner.The prime minister also reviewed the new Islamabad airport in its almost-complete state and laid the foundation stone for the new Metro bus link to the location.“The world is heading towards Pakistan,†the PM remarked, reasoning that the country’s stock market at present is the most important example of foreign interest.The new Metro project is under the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) management and divided into four stages, cost almost Rs. 18 billion, and comprises four interchanges and fourteen stopovers. It will effectively link the new Islamabad Airport to Peshawar Morr, feature nine bus stations, 11 underpasses, and 12 bridges, and will be 25.6 kilometres long.
