LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday inaugurated the Metro Bus System at the Nishtar Colony terminal.
Foreign delegates, MNAs, MPAs and citizens were present on the occasion.
After the formal inauguration the chief minister travelled in a convoy of buses from Gajjumata to Shahdara. The convoy reached Shahdara in nearly 90 minutes.
The stations on the way had been decorated with flowers, flags and pictures of Pakistani and Turkish leaders.
Banners advertising provincial government’s achievements and other projects were also displayed.
At Gaddafi Stadium, Model Town, Naseerabad and Kalma Chowk stations, large crowds greeted the buses with song and dance. Most of them praised the government.
Seventeen out of the 27 stations were only 60-70 percent complete.
MBS stations – Ichhra, Shama, Qurtaba, Janaza Gah, MAO College, Civil Secretariat, Kachari, Bhati Chowk, Azadi Chowk, Timber Market, Niazi Chowk and Shahdara – were not functional for the ceremony.
Kamran, a student, who was present at the inauguration, said he believed the new project was a great gift from the government for the people of Lahore. He said most people he knew were happy and would benefit from this service.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 11th, 2013.