ISLAMABAD:Inaugurating Orange Line Metro Bus Service from Peshawar Morr to New Islamabad International Airport on Monday, the Prime Minister said he will work with the same speed that he is used to.

The Prime Minister regretted delay in the operationalization of Peshawar Morr-New Islamabad airport metro bus service. He said this project was a gift from PML (N) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to the residents of the federal capital. It was started in 2017 and it had to be operationalized in 2018. However, like other projects, the previous government delayed this public transport project as well. He said the lack of will and spirit delayed this project, otherwise, there was no other reason as funds were available for it.

The Prime Minister said that no ticket will be charged from the commuters using this metro service during the holy month of Ramadan. He said fifteen buses have been taken from Punjab Metro Authority to run this service.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to China and Turkey for their contributions in the public transport project. He also asked the Chinese side to reconsider Karachi Circular Railway project as this will bring great dividends for the people of Karachi. He said China is a great friend which has always stood by Pakistan and contributed immensely to building Pakistan’s economy. He said the CPEC is a game changer project. The Prime Minister was also appreciative of Turkey for standing by Pakistan in difficult times.

Earlier, Chairman Capital Development Authority Amer Ali Ahmed said a ticketing system for the bus service has been completed which will soon be installed. He said an app is also being launched which will facilitate the commuters to buy online ticket to avail this service. He said that a metro bus project from Rawat to Faizabad will also be started.