RAWALPINDI: The local administration has launched Rawal Sports and Cultural Festival to celebrate the inauguration of Metro Bus Service in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad scheduled to be held on June 3.

Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) held a Mushaira in this regard at its auditorium in collaboration with Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA). Commissioner Zahid Saeed was the chief guest on the occasion.

 Renowned poet Sarfraz Shahid presided over the mushaira and Dur-e-Shehwar was the anchorperson.

Over a dozen poets from Rawalpindi and Islamabad presented their poetry and prominent among them were Dr Ehsan Akbar, Anwar Fitrat, Prof Yousaf Hassan, Naseem-e-Saher, Dr Mazhar Abbas Rizvi, Javed Iqbal, Farkhanda Shamim, Naureen Talat, Aftab Zia, Dr Abrar Umer and Imran Ami.

Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Zahid Saeed said the wait for safe, efficient and comfortable metro bus service was going to over.

 The commissioner said Rawal Sports and Cultural Festival was part inaugural celebration ceremonies of metro bus.

He said that in such a routine life it is difficult to spare time for such kind of activities and Government of Punjab is providing facilities at the doorstep of the people.

 A senior official of the City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) told Dawn they wanted to do fireworks on the eve of June 3 before the Metro Bus Service’s formal launch but the provincial government stopped to do this on that day due to Shab-e-Barat,” he said.

 “Music concert is arranged at Historical Liaquat Bagh and firework on Monday and all the funds will be provided by Rawal and Potohar Towns for this concert and it will be open for general public,” he said.

 On the other hand, the political parties termed the celebrations of inauguration of the metro bus service ostentatious.

“Other countries are exploring Mars and run Bullet Trains to facilitate the people but PML-N led government is getting political mileage while plying buses on 22 kilometer long track. Public money could be spent more efficiently if the development project made according to the requirements of the local people instead of rulers wishes,” said former District Nazim and PTI Punjab Vice President Raja Tariq Kayyani while talking to Dawn.

 He said that cultural events should be arranged for the people but it should not linked with the completion of development projects as it were made on public’s own money.

 PPP Rawalpindi Chapter spokesman Shujaat Haider Naqvi told Dawn that the PML-N led government failed to provide basic facilities to the residents and instead of creating employment opportunities, it engaged the youth in musical concerts.

 “The people are suffering from price hike and inflated utility bills and the government is busy in celebrations,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2015

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