- CM Maryam directs immediate hiring of 04 Airbuses for ‘Air Punjab’ on lease
- Says initially ‘Air Punjab’ will start domestic flights, foreign flight after one year
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a special meeting for a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s first provincial airline, and bullet train projects.
She directed the authorities concerned to launch Pakistan’s first provincial airline “Air Punjab,” and gave in-principle approval to start Lahore-Rawalpindi bullet train project.
She also directed them to immediately lease 04 Airbuses for “Air Punjab,” saying initially “Air Punjab” will start domestic flights. “Upon completion of one-year period “Air Punjab” will also be able to start foreign flights,” she added.
The Punjab chief minister directed the relevant authorities to immediately make arrangements to lease the latest aircrafts for “Air Punjab.” She also directed them to make necessary arrangements to make “Air Punjab” the best airline in the country.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was also briefed in detail by the relevant authorities on the first bullet train project from Lahore to Rawalpindi.
She was apprised, “The journey time from Lahore to Rawalpindi through bullet train will be reduced to about two and a half hours.” She also reviewed various options for running the fastest bullet train in collaboration with Pakistan Railways, and assigned Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb the task of collaborating with Pakistan Railways in this regard.
She said,” The option of public-private partnership for the bullet train project is also being considered.” She directed the authorities responsible to take steps for the launch of Pakistan’s first bullet train project.
The Punjab chief minister also sought plans for high-speed trains on six more routes in Punjab. These routes include Lahore- Shahdara-Narowal, Lahore-Raiwind-Kasur-Pakpattan-Lodhran, Sheikhupura Fort-Jaranwala-Shorkot, Shorkot-Jhang-Sargodha, Lala Musa-Sargodha via Malikwal, and Faisalabad-Chak Jhumra-Shaheenabad. She reviewed Lahore Yellow Line and Mass Transit Line Gujranwala projects. She set a deadline of 30 May to complete the study of Jinnah Terminal Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspora Yellow Line project, and 15 June to complete the study of Gujranwala Mass Transit Line project. She was also briefed in detail about the e-taxi project.
