LAHORE: Anjuman-e-Tajiran Ferozepur Road has threatened to stage protest and observe a complete strike on Friday (January 17) against Metro Bus Extension Project that is going to hit 6200 businesses in Chungi Amarsidhu area alone.
This was said by Action Committee Chairman Ayub Mayo who was leading a 20-member delegation of Anjuman-e-Tajiran Ferozepur Road while he was talking to LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari. LCCI Executive Committee Member Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam and Waqar Ahmad Mian were also present in the meeting.
The delegation said that they were left with no other option but to resort to protests and a strike against the proposed government plan that would deprive thousands of businessmen of their livelihood.
They said that it was a deep-rooted conspiracy to defame the government as the responsible government functionaries had not furnished an accurate and true data of those affected by Metro Bus Expansion Project.
They were of the view that Chief Minister Punjab should look into the project and direct the concerned authorities to evolve alternate plan to ensure signal-free movement of the Metro Bus.
“It would be wiser on part of the government if a flyover is constructed instead of demolishing the running businesses.”
Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari said that all the development projects should be launched in consultation with the stakeholders. He said that the government was making all out efforts to attract foreign investment in the country while the local investment scenario was also not very encouraging due to anti-business policies.
He said that the government should come up with a compensation policy for those affected by Metro Bus Expansion Project and that the businessmen were not being taken into the confidence before launching any such plan.
LCCI President assured the delegation that he would request the Chief Minister to share Master Plan with those affected by Metro Bus Expansion Project.
Engineer Sohail Lashari said that as an alternate plan, construction of a flyover could be considered for Metro Expansion Project.
LCCI President said that the business community highly appreciates Punjab government for putting in untiring efforts to develop infrastructure in the province and bringing it at par with International cities in developed World but at the same time wants of the government to address the genuine concerns of the businesses falling prey to this development.
Engineer Sohail Lashari said that the infrastructure development is meant to expedite economic activities and if it goes the other way, the government is duty bound to consult the stakeholders for the sake of making it beneficial to business community.
Engineer Sohail Lashari hoped that the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif would issue necessary directions to the department concerned to share Metro Expansion plan with the stakeholders for the removal of their apprehensions that are giving them sleepless nights as the department responsible for the project had already started marking for initiating demolition of shops coming in the way of the project.
