LAHORE, Feb 26: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says the provincial government is introducing a modern public transport system in the province for providing quality and comfortable travelling facilities to the masses.

He was presiding over a meeting held here on Sunday. Lahore Transport Company Chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hassaan gave a detailed briefing on the new public transport system, says a handout.

Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said 350 new buses would be plied for passengers in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur under the project. “The provincial government is importing modern buses from China for providing best travelling facilities to the masses.”

The CM directed that a strategy be evolved for introducing student card scheme for concession in fare. He said bus stops of modern design for sitting of passengers would be constructed where facility of clean drinking water would be available.

He termed pink bus service for women especially female students a new public culture and directed that more coaster buses be plied for women passengers.

Earlier, LTC Chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hassaan informed the meeting that 100 buses reached Karachi from China which would arrive Lahore within the next few days. He said the company had designed concessionary e-card for the benefit of the students.

The chairman planning & development, secretary finance, secretary transport, commissioners and district coordination officers attended the meeting.

Meanwhile speaking at a function held with regard to giving away prizes to the police officials who recovered a child kidnapped in Jhang, here on Sunday, the chief minister directed the officers to make police stations a symbol of protection for the oppressed.

Prizes of Rs100,000, Rs75,000 and Rs50,000 were distributed among the team which conducted the operation. The home secretary and IG Police were also present on the occasion.

The CM said: “Through this operation, police has given a message that it is fully alert to protect the life and property of the people. The professional and hardworking officers and officials are the asset of the police department and we are proud of them.”

He said the provincial government had also paid special attention to improve the general law and order situation besides curbing the crimes during the last three and a half years. He said very experienced and competent officers had been posted as regional police officers, capital city police officers and district police officers in the province. He said 15,000 constables had been recruited in police department on merit. Similarly, recruitments of assistant sub inspectors had been made through Punjab Public Service Commission.