LAHORE: Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated on Tuesday A-Taxi (cab) service after the Punjab government and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality signed an agreement in this regard.

Under the agreement, Turkish firm Al-Baryak will operate the cab service, equipped with modern navigation and security features.

Mr Topbas had arrived in Lahore from Istanbul on Monday to inaugurate the service besides offering investment opportunities in Lahore.

“It is a matter of great pleasure for the people of Pakistan in general and residents of Lahore in particular to have such a modern facility in the provincial capital,” Shahbaz said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony. He appreciated the role of Istanbul’s mayor in boosting the Turkish investment in Pakistan in various sectors, including transport and waste management.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Topbas said he would continue strengthening good relations amid investment by the Turkish people/firms in Lahore.

“We appreciate CM Shahbaz Sharif for his untiring efforts in improving various sectors,” he added.

The company’s board of directors, including Mustafa Albayark and Noori Albayarak, and Khawaja Ahmad Hassaan also attended the inaugural ceremony.

Earlier, the CM and Istanbul mayor inaugurated a business exhibition that was attended by Turkish investors and businessmen.

When the CM and Istanbul mayor arrived in Gulberg in a protocol that included over three dozen vehicles, police had blocked the Main Boulevard for traffic which created inconvenience for the public at large.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2016