CM Maryam orders fast-track on Faisalabad Mass Transit, vows modern urban mobility

• Punjab CM reviews progress on 20.5km mass transit project with 21 stations, directing timely completion

• Orders high-quality elevators at all stations for commuters’ ease and accessibility, with Urban forests and green belts along route to boost sustainability and beautification

• On World Press Freedom Day, Maryam calls for responsible journalism and stronger press freedom

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to accelerate construction work on the Faisalabad Mass Transit System to ensure the project’s timely completion, while stressing that modern urban transport remains a key priority of the provincial government.

Chairing a special meeting here, the chief minister reviewed progress on the ambitious mass transit project and was given a detailed briefing on its planning and execution.

During the meeting, Maryam Nawaz assessed the pace of development and instructed the authorities to expedite construction, reiterating the provincial government’s commitment to delivering modern and efficient transport facilities to the public.

She also directed the installation of high-quality and spacious elevators at all stations to facilitate commuters, particularly senior citizens, women and differently-abled persons.

Emphasising environmental sustainability alongside infrastructure development, the chief minister ordered the plantation of urban forests and the development of green belts at every open space along the mass transit route to improve the city’s landscape and ecological balance.

The meeting was informed that the Faisalabad Mass Transit System will cover a total length of 20.5 kilometres and include 21 stations.

Of the total route, 11.3 kilometres will be elevated, comprising 11 elevated stations aimed at ensuring smooth and uninterrupted traffic flow.

Officials also briefed the meeting that dedicated depots for the mass transit system would be established at Faisal Town and Airport Chowk to support operational and maintenance requirements.

Maryam Nawaz said the Punjab government remained committed to providing modern, efficient and eco-friendly public transport facilities to the people of Punjab, adding that all such projects would be completed with transparency, quality and speed.

Calls for responsible journalism on World Press Freedom Day

 Meanwhile, in her message on World Press Freedom Day, themed “Shaping a Peaceful Future,” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to journalists striving for press freedom and responsible journalism.

She extended greetings to media professionals and journalists across the world, saying that freedom of the press, coupled with responsibility, forms the foundation and identity of a democratic society.

“A free, autonomous and responsible media is the true strength of journalism,” she said.

The chief minister said the sacrifices made by journalists for press freedom were commendable, adding that democracy and press freedom were deeply interconnected.

“When journalism is free and responsible, democracy is strengthened,” she remarked.

Maryam Nawaz said the government was striving to fulfil the dream of providing journalists with homes of their own, adding that her administration stood with the journalistic community in the journey towards democratic supremacy.

She reiterated that every possible support would continue to be extended for the promotion of press freedom and called for collective efforts to curb propaganda, fake news and the spread of misinformation.

The chief minister stressed that journalists have the right to perform their professional duties in a dignified, safe and conducive environment, adding that comprehensive measures were being ensured for their protection.

Highlighting the challenges of the digital age, she said that in the fast-paced era of digital media, competition must never come at the expense of truth.

“On World Press Freedom Day, it is essential to reaffirm our commitment to presenting truth with responsibility,” she concluded.