"Pakistan needs March of Progress instead of Long March" - Shahbaz Sharif
LAHORE: (Dunya News) Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Azadi Chowk Flyover near Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore, today (Sundya).
While talking to the media, CM Shehbaz Sharif said that the flyover has been constructed with a cost of Rs. 5 billion and 30 crores. The flyover got completed in less than six months. Shahbaz Sharif said that more than two hundred thousand vehicles will use this flyover daily. While cars had to wait for several minutes at this road due to traffic signals and heavy traffic during rush hours, they will now be using this flyover and avoid long delays.
Criticizing the political opponents indirectly, Chief Minister said that Pakistan needed progress at this stage and must abstain from the politics of agitation. “Pakistan needs March of Progress right now instead of Long Marches”, said the CM. He further added that this flyover will not only help people save time but will also save them fuel.
CM Shahbaz also congratulated the residents of Lahore and those who regularly visit the city. Azadi Chowk is situated near Shahdra Toll Plaza and most vehicles entering Lahore must pass this square. Supporters of the Chief Minister and common people were present in large numbers on this occasion.
CM remarked that Pakistan needed to progress and those conducting long marches are trying to hold the country back. Shehbaz Sharif said that the flyover will provide people with excellent travelling standards.
Pakistan Muslim League (N) has always focused construction and road projects every time it has come into power. The idea of Motorway was first conceived during 1992 when the current Prime Minister had held the seat for the first time. The same project was completed during his second tenure.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also worked upon several projects during his 2008-13 tenure. Lahore Metro Bus Project, Muslim Town Flyover, Kalma Chowk Flyover, underpassm Model Town Underpass and Saggian Interchange in Lahore while Chandni Chowk flyover in Rawalpindi were the highlights of his previous tenure. Ring Road around Lahore was also completed during his tenure.
During his third term as the Chief Minister of Punjab that started last year after General Elections 2013, which PML (N) swept in Punjab, he has already started work on Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and National Highway Authority (NHA).
The completion of Azadi Chowk Flyover is yet another milestone achieved by the government in such a short span of time. Though the PML (N) is often criticized by its opponents for its extra focus on the road construction, the projects have always helped the party securing good number of votes in all the elections. Metro Bus Systems in Multan and Faisalabad are also in pipeline while the Prime Minister has announced Metro Bus System for Karachi as well during his recent visit to the financial hub of the country. Lahore-Karachi Motorway and Orange Line Train, Lahore, are two of the projects being worked at currently by the Federal and Provincial governments respectively.
