THE government has started the metro bus project in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad at an estimated cost of Rs44.21bn.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has started revising the budget and the cost might go up to Rs50bn.However, do we really need such an expensive project at this hour when Pakistanis are dying of hunger and thirst. Besides, there is loadshedding of electricity and gas -- both basic facilities — for many hours.

At least 40pc of Pakistanis are living below the poverty line. Only 1.9 pc is being spent on education and 1 pc on health out of its Gross Domestic Product.

Businessmen are in a fix because of the project as all businesses would remain closed for at least 11 months, the estimated time given by the government to complete the project.

Citizens are also facing difficulty in travelling because of roads being closed down because of construction of the metro. Pakistan is not in a state so as to compete with Turkey and other developing countries.

The government must focus on basic issues first rather than wasting precious time, money and energy on unwanted projects.

Ehtsham Naseer Kiani

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2015

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