Lahore :Punjab government, Turk companies ink MoUs

[Salman]

Lahore : Punjab government, Turk companies ink MoUs

Memorandums of Understanding for co-operation in various sectors were signed between Punjab government and Turk companies in a ceremony at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here Tuesday.

The agreements reached at between Punjab government and Turk companies include Bus Rapid Transit, E-ticketing, parking, vocational education, traffic management and signal free corridor.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Turkey is a brotherly Islamic country and there are strong historical, religious and cultural relations between Turkey and Pakistan.

He said that the agreements signed today are a milestone in transforming bilateral relations between the two countries into trade and economic ties.

He thanked Turk Prime Minister, Tayeb Ardgan, Mayor Istanbul, Kadir Topbash and Turk Ambassador in Pakistan Mustafa Babur Hizlan for the agreements of co-operation.

He said that the agreements with Turk companies will be given a practical shape.

He said that an agreement has already been signed with Istanbul Municipality for making Lahore a clean city and Turk companies have arrived in the provincial metropolis and the practical implementation of the project will be started in the beginning of February.

He said that due to this agreement Lahore will also become a clean city like Istanbul and cleanliness conditions will be maintained in other cities of Punjab as well on this pattern.

He said that Bus Rapid Transit Project will span over 60km and its first phase is expected to be completed in February next.

He said that an agreement has also been made with Turk companies for promotion of vocational education under which technical education will be imparted to the youth in the province.

Turk Ambassador Mustafa Babur Hizlan said that Pakistan and Turkey have strong bilateral relations and the people of the two countries have deep affinity with each other.

He said that the agreements, especially, in the sector of solid waste management have become possible due to dynamic personality of Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.

He said that development projects in Punjab will help in bringing Turkey and Pakistan further closer.

He expressed hope that besides Lahore, Turk companies will also provide service in different sectors in other cities of the province.

Chairman Lahore Transport Company, Kh.

Ahmad Hassan said that under bus rapid transit system, service will be started at Ferozepur Road, Multan Road and Canal Area of Lahore while Ring Road would also be included in the system.

Earlier, the Turk delegation met Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and exchanged views on the agreements reached between Punjab and Turk companies.

He said that under the agreements, these projects will also be started in other cities of the province.

He said it is his desire that side by side Chinese busses, Turk busses may also ply on roads in Punjab as well.

The members of the Turk delegation while expressing their views, said that Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is active like the Turk Prime Minister and the Mayor of Istanbul and the project of solid waste management has materialised due to his personal interest.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Ambassador of Turkey in Pakistan, Mustafa Babur Hizlan, Provincial Minister for Education, Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Chairman Lahore Transport Company, Kh.

Ahmad Hassaan, Members Punjab Assembly and members of Turk delegation were present on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2011