Launch of CPEC’s Orange Line Mass Transit project in Lahore

Ambassador Moin-ul-Haque today attended the launch ceremony of the Orange Line Mass Transit (OLMT) project under CPEC, which was held online in Beijing and Lahore.

Speaking at the occasion, the Ambassador stated that the OLMT’s launch marked a momentous day in the annals of time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China. The project’s “successful commissioning today will open a new chapter in the development and prosperity not only of Lahore, but for all of Pakistan. A well-functioning and efficient transportation network is central to sustained socioeconomic development and prosperity,” the Ambassador said.

CPEC is a flagship of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Under CPEC, Pakistan’s transportation infrastructure, energy network and industrial base have been comprehensively upgraded. In the next stage, Pakistan and China would unlock the potential of these investments by focusing on industrial capacity relocation, agriculture modernization, science and technology cooperation, and technical and vocational training. Pakistan looked forward to working with friends and partners from China to make more and greater strides along the common road to prosperity, the Ambassador concluded.

In Beijing, the event was attended by senior officials from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Transport, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), National Railway Administration (NRA), the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China, as well as the Chairman of China North Industries Corp. (NORINCO) Group, President of NORINCO, President of NORINCO International and President of Guangzhou Metro Group.

In Lahore, the event was attended by the Chief Minister of the Punjab Province, Sardar Usman Buzdar, as well as the provincial Minister for Transport and the Managing Director of the Punjab Mass-transit Authority (PMA), as well as senior officials from concerned stakeholders.

Beijing

25 October 2020