Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday laid the foundation stone of the Gujranwala Mass Transit project, calling it a “game-changing initiative” that will revolutionize mobility for students, workers, patients, and residents across the city.
The project, hailed as a major step forward in urban development, is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve access to key services.
Addressing the ceremony, PM Shehbaz praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her vision, describing the project as a “heartfelt gift” to Gujranwala, Pakistan’s fifth-largest city with nearly five million residents. “This mass transit system will connect surrounding areas, offering timely access to schools, hospitals, factories, and business centers,” he said, congratulating the Punjab leadership for their relentless efforts.
Project highlights and features
The Gujranwala Mass Transit project, also known as the Yellow Line, will span 31.2 kilometers from Aimanabad to Gakhar. Key features include:
A fully signal-free corridor with four underpasses to ensure smooth traffic flow.
25 modern green stations, 24 of which are underground, designed for safety and convenience.
Two depots covering 50 kanals to accommodate buses and maintenance.
Pakistan’s first trackless train (SRT) system for enhanced commuter capacity.
Electric buses powered by 14MW electricity, making it environmentally friendly.
Feeder buses (70 in total) collecting passengers from across Gujranwala.
Passenger-friendly amenities including wheelchair access, charging ports, Wi-Fi, and dedicated CCTV for women.
Officials estimate the system will benefit 50,000 people daily, based on ridership data from similar mass transit projects in cities like Rawalpindi, where 35,000–40,000 passengers use 40 buses daily.
Shehbaz Sharif highlights Punjab development legacy
PM Shehbaz recalled that Punjab’s modern development began under Nawaz Sharif in 1985, introducing construction-led governance during a period when politics dominated over development. He credited Nawaz Sharif with building a network of roads, hospitals, and supporting farmers, while also making Pakistan a nuclear power—a strategic achievement that reshaped the nation’s defense capabilities.
He said Maryam Nawaz continues this legacy with initiatives like Suthra Punjab, providing housing for the homeless, and implementing environmental improvements that have reduced pollution levels in Lahore, once among the most polluted cities globally. PM Shehbaz emphasized that even opposition parties will eventually have to acknowledge her performance due to its tangible results.
Maryam Nawaz targets KP government
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz criticized the prolonged misgovernance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She highlighted that the province has seen zero development over the past 12 years, with roads, schools, and hospitals left in poor condition. “The KP leadership has been more focused on politics and personal agendas rather than serving the people,” she stated.
She praised the people of KP for voting in favor of PML-N in the November 23 by-elections, indicating their desire for accountable governance. She also emphasized the successes of Punjab’s cleanliness drive, Suthra Punjab, which collected 50,000 tons of waste with each district equipped with its own machinery, while ongoing projects include a new sewage system and the construction of one lakh houses under the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar initiative.
