Speaking at the Bab-e-Pakistan project’s groundbreaking and Walton Road upgrade ceremony in Lahore is Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In his remarks at the event on Saturday morning, he stated, “Today, once again, we are at a historical place. “This is maybe my ninth or tenth visit in the last 20–25 years. This place serves as a reminder of the massive migration that took place here.
He spoke about the location’s historical importance and the challenges of Partition. “People overcame hardships, and there is no historical precedent for women’s and children’s sacrifices,” he remarked. As a result, our nation was founded. At this moment, many migrants remained in Walton.
“There are disturbing tales of how people lost their lives and belongings wishing to reach Pakistan.”
The project’s long, winding journey from 1997 to the present was then detailed by him. He stated, “We were meant to make this facility a destination to visit for both local and foreign guests.” Then, without going into detail, he mentioned the suspected corruption in the project.
He claimed that he had been informed that white stone worth Rs900 million was intended to be imported from Italy for the monument. “I enquired as to why. He claimed that without importing the stone, Pakistan’s founding could not be highlighted. I informed him we’re having money problems and have a lot of projects to start. Do we really need to spend Rs. 90 crores on this? He didn’t respond, though. But he said that we had issued an order. However, I made a request that this stone not be imported. He reported my complaint to another party.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was then questioned as to why it never looked into the suspected corruption in this project. “I want that nobody, not even my adversary, visits the NAB’s akhuwat khana. Innocent individuals were forced up against the wall. But did NAB dig into the individuals involved in this project’s malfeasance, where billions were misappropriated?
The past that I depicted today is to present the truth before the people, he added, adding that until such a system was “buried,” the country couldn’t advance or develop. There are other projects that have been ruined by corruption, but nothing has been done about it.
“But we should not lose hope. We are also going through a difficult time, and if we endeavor round the clock and if the well-off do their part, this ship will reach its destination. The only condition is that we have work day and night.”
