Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi inaugurated new hybrid buses, the Pink Bus Service for women, the solarisation project at Chamkani Depot, and the Mall of Hayatabad Depot. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said he had promised to introduce Pink Buses for women in the province, and that the buses were now operating on the roads. He announced that women travelling on the Pink Bus Service would receive a 25 per cent reduction in fares.

He also praised the women working as drivers, saying they were serving as role models for others. Sohail Afridi said those who describe the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as terrorists should look at the province’s efforts to empower women. “This is Pashtun society, where respect for women and elders, affection for children and patriotism are part of our values,” he said, adding that no one in the province could even imagine violating the sanctity of homes or the dignity of women. Speaking at the ceremony, Sohail Afridi also announced that his party would hold a long march towards Islamabad on October 4, saying they would not back down.

“We are not going to retreat. On October 4, we will march towards Islamabad at all costs,” the chief minister said. He said Pakistan was burdened with Rs99 trillion in debt, adding that those who come to power through the public mandate should always focus on serving the people. Afridi said representatives elected through the public mandate do not purchase private aircraft or vehicles with expensive interiors for themselves. He also criticised the government over expenditure on a three-day conference, claiming that Rs6 billion of public money was being spent on the event.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)