Afridi ‘not happy’ with long march preparations

"We also have Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs within our ranks."Meanwhile, the chief minister formally inaugurated new hybrid buses, the Pink Bus Service for women, solarisation of the Chamkani Depot, and the newly established Mall of Hayatabad Depot as part of measures to expand and improve Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services in the province.Addressing the inauguration ceremony held at the Mall of Hayatabad Depot, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said….

He said those who described the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as terrorists should see today that the province believed in empowering women and was taking practical measures in this regard.Afridi said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was a Pakhtun society where respect for women and elders, compassion towards children and patriotism were deeply rooted in their blood and social fabric.Condemning the inappropriate treatment of women by imposed governments, the Chief Minister said no one could….

"We do not violate the sanctity of the chadar and four walls like the mandate thieves.

Rather, we provide protection to them," he said.A detailed briefing was given at the ceremony on the new hybrid buses, Pink Bus Service, solarisation of the Chamkani Depot, establishment of the Mall of Hayatabad Depot and key features of the projects.Participants were informed that the BRT service was providing daily transportation facilities to around 250,000 commuters, approximately 30 percent of whom were women.The BRT system was also reducing carbon dioxide….

It was further stated that the continued expansion of the BRT system was evidence of the success of the project.

With the addition of 52 new buses, the total BRT fleet had increased to 296 buses.The new buses would facilitate the opening of additional routes and help reduce passenger pressure on existing routes.The Pink Bus Service had also been introduced to address the specific transportation needs of women passengers.In the first phase, five Pink Buses would operate on selected routes during peak hours.

The number of Pink Buses and their routes would be gradually expanded.The procurement and construction process for 50 additional buses and a new depot, at a cost of Rs6.2 billion, was also under way.

Additionally, another 50 buses had also been included in the current Annual Development Programme at a cost of Rs5 billion.