Punjab gears up to launch provincial airline, bullet train

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the launch of the province’s first airline, “Air Punjab,” and Pakistan’s first bullet train project.

The approval was granted in a key meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on Saturday.  

The meeting revealed that “Air Punjab” will initially operate domestic flights, with international services to begin after one year. To kick off the project, four modern Airbus aircraft will be leased.

Maryam Nawaz issued instructions to ensure that all necessary arrangements are completed promptly to make “Air Punjab” the best airline in the country.

On the other hand, the bullet train project between Lahore and Rawalpindi was also given preliminary approval.

This train will reduce the travel time between the two cities to just two and a half hours.

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The bullet train project will be carried out in collaboration with Pakistan Railways, and the public-private partnership model is also being considered.

The Chief Minister assigned Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb the task of collaborating with Pakistan Railways on the project.

Plans for six more high-speed routes were also requested, including Lahore to Shahdara, Narowal, Raiwind, Kasur, Pakpattan, Lodhran, Qila Sheikhupura, Shorkot, Jhang, Sargodha, Lala Musa, Malakwal, Faisalabad, Chak Jhumra, and Shaheenabad.

The meeting also reviewed the Lahore Yellow Line (from Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspura) and Gujranwala Mass Transit Line projects.

The feasibility study for the Yellow Line should be completed by May 30, while the study for the Gujranwala project should be completed by June 15.

Additionally, a detailed briefing was given on the E-Taxi project, which is another effort to modernise the province’s transport system.