Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has laid the foundation-stone of the country’s first-ever Central Business District project at the Walton Airport site, a commercial hub aimed at ensuring ease-of-doing-business, in Lahore.
While addressing a ceremony after laying the foundation stone on Friday, the premier said that that the project would generate Rs1,300 billion in the first phase, helping the government pay off foreign loans accumulated over the past one decade.
“It is high time to increase the country’s income and decrease expenditures to come out of the quagmire of fiscal and current account deficit,” he said, adding that the federal government will get Rs250 billion in taxes from the district.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government has urgently recommended shifting the flying club operating at Walton airport as it is within the thickly populated location of central Lahore.
The PM also expressed his concern over the accidents that took place within the last few years wherein training planes fell in residential streets.
The government, a few days ago, had demolished the iconic nurseries next to the airport, while it is feared that the forest spread over about 20 acres may be lost during the development of the business district.
However, according to the PM, by shifting the Walton Airport from the centre of the city and creating a business centre in its place, the government can generate Rs6,000 billion.
Later, Punjab (CM) Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that the business district would be completed in three phases over an area of 300 acres. “The first phase would be developed over an area of 128 acres, followed by a digital and a residential district in the next phase.”
Meanwhile, the Lahore flying club has already moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the government move. The court will take up the case on Tuesday.
“Iconic Nurseries”. Don’t make me laugh. Since when do nurseries become iconic. These establishments can be relocated and I’m sure they will be compensated although with the iconic flying club located near a city centre with a terrible safety record.
Better central business district would be Mughalpura workshop and royal palm golf course which are at intersection of train/transit lines.
Nurseries were established illegally over government land. It is remouredwere that they were continuing to remain in occupation due to stay order. They had no role in aforestation of Lahore.
At least the government should try to create more employment of big cities. This will increase congestion in Lahore, which they objected to in the past. More business opportunities should be provided in smaller cities of Punjab.
The Walton Flying Club should not be allowed to be devoured by the insatiable greed of the various mafias. IK should consider a business district in Shiekhupura. Lahore is already bursting at the seams.!