Lahore—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting here today regarding provision of better transport facilities to the masses. Provincial Minister for Transport Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Transport and Secretary Finance were present.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that provision of a comfortable and reliable transport system to the people is among the priorities of the government and measures are being taken for this purpose.

He said that substantial funds have been allocated in the budget for providing modern transport facilities to the citizens. He said that provision of better transport facilities to the people is of vital importance and maximum resources will be provided for this purpose.

He said that Daewoo, Hyundai, Hino and other companies should be contacted for acquiring 500 buses as early as possible.

He said that he want to see new buses on the roads of the provincial metropolis as soon as possible and a briefing be given to him after evolving a comprehensive strategy for this purpose.

He further directed that a package be formulated also for providing better transport facilities to the people of Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan. He said that work on Bus Rapid Transit System be started as soon as possible after settling all matters.

Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan informed about the measures taken for providing transport facilities to the people and acquisition of new buses.

He said that ten air-conditioned coasters have started plying from Defence to Civil Secretariat and the scope of this project will further be extended.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that like Daanish schools, Aashiyana, Green Tractors, Yellow Cab and other projects will also be implemented in a highly transparent manner to reduce unemployment.

He was talking to media-men during inspection of yellow cabs here on Thursday. Senator Pervaiz Rashid was also present on the occasion.

He said that Yellow Cab scheme would result in job opportunities to the youth and they would be offered interest-free loans for the purchase of vehicles. He said that only those elements are criticizing the projects aimed at welfare of the poor who looted billions and trillions of rupees and in whose tenure, a free hand was given to Qabza groups, while huge sums were plundered in the name of development projects.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab government had taken solid measures in the budget for elimination of unemployment, including provision of loans to 100,000 youth to enable them stand on their own feet as well as support their families.