Metro train hits tracks after rival opening ceremonies

Orange Line Metro Train finally hit the tracks on Sunday after both ruling and the previous ruling parties held separate inauguration ceremonies, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

PML-N which initiated and built the project first held their opening ceremony at Anarkali followed by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar inaugurating the Orange Line Metro Train along with Chinese guests while praying for the success of the billion-dollar project.

Usman Buzdar said despite many international changes the only thing that remained unchanged is the friendship between Iron Brothers Pakistan and China. He thanked the Chinese companies for their all-out efforts for the Orange Line Metro Train project.

“CPEC is the climax of the friendship of Pakistan and China,” he said.

Usman Buzdar also read famous maxim: Pakistan Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel.

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This project will bring sustainable urban development for people, Usman Buzdar further said.

PTI brought new traditions in politics and completed the previous-era projects. This tradition is totally different and one can see that in the form of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology Wazirabad and Punjab Assembly new building (the PML-Q projects which were left unattended in PML-N 2013-2018 era).

Usman Buzdar also announced that the Punjab government is also completing the Rs112 billion development projects of the previous government. 

He said the provincial government saved millions of rupees by bringing transparency in the operation and maintenance tendering of the metro train. Punjab government despite COVID-19 economic challenges will provide Rs 15 billion subsidy. 

He also paid tribute to Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

He invited the Chinese investors to invest in Punjab’s transport, livestock, housing sectors where there are a lot of opportunities for investment.

Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz in a tweet said: “PML-N is self-proclaimed inauguration of the Orange Train is actually a celebration of looting national exchequer and consuming public resources. The people have to bear the burden of expensive projects, inflation and economic catastrophe. Instead of regret, remorse and forgiveness, celebrations are being held to prove arrogance.”

(ن) لیگ کے نیب زدگان اورنج ٹرین کے خودساختہ افتتاح پر دراصل قومی خزانے کی لوٹ مار اور عوامی وسائل کھانے کا جشن منا رہے ہیں۔ مہنگے منصوبوں کا بوجھ عوام کو اٹھانا پڑتا ہے، مہنگائی اور معاشی تباہی ہوتی ہے۔ پشیمانی، ندامت اور معافی کے بجائے جشن منا کر ڈھٹائی کا ثبوت دیا جا رہاہے۔

— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) October 25, 2020

Earlier, PML-N inaugurated the Orange Line Metro Train with the leaders crediting the project to the top party leaders.

Among slogans in favour of PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif and boos for the PTI rulers, Saad Rafique, Ayaz Sadiq and Pervaiz Malik made speeches to highlight another feather in the previous ruling party’s crown at a ceremony near Anarkali.

The PTI had remained the biggest critic of the billion-dollar project arguing such projects were only a wastage of money when it was being built during the last term of Shehbaz Sharif as chief minister of Punjab.

Former National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said Bus Rapid Transport BRT Peshawar project was more expensive than PML-N’s four projects. 

“This government has become unbearable. Orange Line Metro has started after a delay of 22 months,” Ayaz Sadiq further said. Former Speaker of National Assembly said who will cut the inauguration ribbon officially will surely feel some shame.

“All the parties in the Pakistan Democratic Movement have come together and time for sugar, flour and gas thieves is over. The time is not far when the government will go.”

Former Railways Minister and PML-N senior leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said: “PML-N leadership is in jail because we demand the rule of a common man. Shehbaz Sharif’s contribution for the province is in front of you in the form of Orange Line Metro Train.” He said the country's democracy is behind bars.

A large number of PML-N workers attended the ceremony and chanted slogans for PML-N leadership.

The project will facilitate 0.25 million people daily and under the project, 27 trains with five bogies each will operate.

The OLMT route begins at Ali Town and ends at the Dera Gujran/Ring Road Interchange. The main stops are: Ali Town - Raiwind Road - Thokar Niaz Baig - Multan Road - Chauburji - Lake Road - Ustadullah Bakhsh Road - GPO Chowk - McLeod Road - Nicholson Road - Boharwala Chowk - Sultanpura - GT Road - Dera Gujran/Ring Road Interchange.

Separately, PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb congratulated Shehbaz Sharif and criticized the PTI government on the inauguration of the Orange Line Metro project in Lahore.

“Imran Khan’s absurd politics has wasted four years of this public importance project due to which the project cost was also increased,” she added.

The PML-N Spokesperson reminded the public that Imran Khan had approached the court against the same project which they are inaugurating now.

آج بھی نواز شریف، شہباز شریف کے منصوبوں پہ اپنی تختیاں لگا رہے ہیں ۔ دس سال بعد بھی اورنج ٹرین کا افتتاح کریں گے تو ہر طرف سے شکریہ شہباز شریف کی گونج ہی سنائی دے گی۔

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) October 24, 2020

She alleged that amid the political revenge, the NAB-Niazi nexus tried to make controversial these public interest projects.

Maryam Aurenzaib said: “When they did not find a single penny of corruption in these projects, they are inaugurating it now.”