Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi inaugurated new hybrid buses and the Pink Bus Service for women, alongside a solarisation project at Chamkani Depot and the Mall of Hayatabad Depot.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, CM Sohail Afridi said he had fulfilled his promise to introduce Pink Buses for women in the province, with the service now operational.
He announced a 25 per cent fare discount for women using the service and praised female bus drivers, describing them as role models.
The chief minister said those who labelled 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 people in the province could not imagine violating the sanctity of homes or the dignity of women.
CM Afridi also announced that his party would hold a long march towards Islamabad on Oct 4, vowing not to back down.
“We are not going to retreat. On October 4, we will march towards Islamabad at all costs,” he said.
Criticising the country’s financial situation and government expenditure, the chief minister said Pakistan was burdened with Rs99 trillion in debt. Those who came to power through a public mandate, he added, should focus on serving the people.
He said elected representatives should not purchase private aircraft or vehicles with expensive interiors for their own use.
CM Afridi also criticised spending on a three-day conference, claiming that Rs6 billion in public funds was being spent on the event.
