LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the Electric Bus Project in Wazirabad on Wednesday, alongside announcing a series of relief and development measures for the people of Punjab.
Fifteen electric buses would begin operating from Wazirabad to Gujranwala and Wazirabad to Ali Pur Chatha, supported by three charging units installed at the terminal. The CM also travelled in an e-bus from Gakharmandi to Wazirabad.
Speaking at the ceremony, she declared the establishment of a cardiac treatment centre in Gujranwala and the early launch of Metro Bus Service in the city. She also announced free travel on electric buses for women, students, senior citizens, and differently-abled persons, terming it a step toward affordable and inclusive public transport.
The CM unveiled comprehensive relief packages for flood-affected communities, including Rs20,000 per acre for farmers, Rs1 million for fully destroyed houses, and Rs500,000 for partially damaged homes. Compensation was also announced for livestock losses — Rs500,000 for cows and buffaloes and Rs50,000 for goats and sheep.
Maryam stated that the government would not rest until every flood-affected family was fully rehabilitated. “The journey of development will now reach every street and neighbourhood,” she said, noting that 80,000 houses are already under construction under the ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ scheme, with a target of 100,000 homes to be completed by December.
Highlighting the scale of the recent disaster, the CM said Punjab faced the worst flood in its history, with 2.5 million people relocated to safe areas. She praised the Pakistan Army, Navy, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, Police, and local administration for their coordinated rescue and relief operations, while also commending her cabinet ministers for staying in the field throughout the crisis.
She noted that timely evacuations prevented large-scale destruction as three major rivers reached critical water levels. Relief operations — covering food, rations, medicines, animal fodder, and tents — are already underway.
Maryam also underscored that Punjab values both human lives and livestock, with animals being shifted to safer areas to protect livelihoods. “The displaced will not be called flood victims but guests of the Punjab government,” she remarked.
Turning to the transport sector, she announced that 1,100 new electric buses will arrive by December and 1,500 more by next year. The service will offer reduced fares, with travel from Wazirabad to Gakharmandi cut from Rs200 to Rs20. Buses will also feature free Wi-Fi, mobile charging facilities, and safe travel for women and female students.
Maryam regretted that Wazirabad had long been deprived of a modern public transport system but stressed that her government was committed to expanding facilities beyond major cities. “I have broken the past tradition of limiting bus projects to big cities,” she said, noting that projects have already been launched in Mianwali and now in Wazirabad.
She concluded by thanking the people of Wazirabad for their warm welcome and conveyed greetings from PMLN leader Nawaz Sharif. “A few days earlier, I visited Wazirabad during the floods; today, I have returned to gift the people of Wazirabad the latest transport facility,” she said.
