LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar inaugurated the Orange Line Metro Train at Dera Gujran Depot, today. Chinese Consul General Mr. Long Ding Bin, Provincial Transport Minister Jahanzeb Kachchi, Managing Director Punjab Mass Transit Authority Sabtain Fazal Haleem of C.R. Norinko authorities were also present on this occasion. It is worth mentioning that the inaugural ceremony of Lahore Orange Line Metro Train was also held in Beijing which was attended by the Authorities of National Development Reforms Commission, C.R. Norinko and top brass Chinese officials. The ceremony was broadcast live through video link. The Chief Minister Usman Buzdar unveiled the plaque and prayed. Later, the Chief Minister along with Chinese Consul General formally inaugurated the Orange Line Metro train by pressing a button, whereas, Chinese officials also inaugurated Orange Line Metro Train from Beijing. Usman Buzdar while addressing the inaugural ceremony said that on this occasion he thanked China/Chinese government on the behalf of the people and government of Punjab. The ties between both the countries are 6 decades old and have strengthened with the passage of time despite the notable changes on world landscape/scenario. Undoubtedly, Pak-China friendship is deeper than the sea, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel, he added. He said that the CPAC is the height of Pak-China friendship. The success of CPEC will start a new era of development and prosperity which will further strengthen the bilateral relations between both the countries. Under CPEC Orange Line Metro Train has been inaugurated today for providing international standard transport facilities to the citizens. He said that this project will not only ensure the stabilization in urban development but also become a factor in green GDP. He said that the PTI government has set a new political tradition by successfully completing the projects of the previous governments and did not let any project become a victimization of politically biasness as projects like Wazirabad Cardiology Institute and the new building for the Punjab Assembly are an example of this political maturity. He said that by rising above the political hatred PTI government is also working on the completion of the collapsed projects of previous governments worth Rs. 1115 billion. He said that in order to operate the Orange Line Metro Train project successfully, transparency has been ensured in the tendering of operational and maintenance besides saving nation’s billions of rupees. He further added that the Punjab government, despite limited resources and the economic situation occurred due to Covid-19 virus pandemic, is also giving a subsidy of billions of rupees annually to ply the Orange Line train. Usman Buzdar said that on this historic occasion he would also like to pay tribute to the Pak Army and other law enforcement agencies’ support and cooperation for the success of CPEC.
