Key Points:
- Petition Filed in Lahore High Court:
- A petition has been filed challenging the personal promotion of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on electric buses.
- The petition alleges that placing her photographs on the buses constitutes personal advertising using public resources.
- Allegations of Misuse of Public Funds:
- The petitioner, represented by the opposition leader of the Punjab Assembly, argues that public funds were used to purchase the electric buses, and subsequently, these buses were used for personal promotion.
- The petition claims this violates a Supreme Court of Pakistan decision.
- Court Proceedings:
- Justice Farooq Haider of the Lahore High Court has sought responses from the Chief Secretary of Punjab and the Director-General of Public Relations (DGPR).
- The petitioners have requested contempt of court action against those responsible and demanded the recovery of expenses incurred for the promotions.
- They also urged the court to direct the removal of promotional material from the buses.
- Punjab Government’s Electric Bus Initiative:
- The Punjab government plans to introduce trackless electric buses as part of a sustainable public transport initiative.
- The Automated Rapid Transit (ART) system, already implemented in cities like Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, and Qatar, will modernize Punjab’s public transit infrastructure.
- The buses will operate on standard roads in dedicated lanes, powered by solar energy, and feature fast-charging, Wi-Fi, and CCTV.
- Implementation Plans:
- Each ART bus will have three coaches, accommodating 250-300 passengers.
- The system will initially launch in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, with plans to expand to ten cities.
- Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz aims to complete the project within four years, providing modern transport to all urban areas, including smaller cities.
The petition against Maryam Nawaz’s personal promotion on electric buses highlights concerns over the alleged misuse of public resources for personal advertising. While the Lahore High Court examines the issue, the Punjab government’s ambitious ART project aims to revolutionize public transport with eco-friendly, modern solutions. The outcome of the court case could impact the implementation and public perception of this initiative.
