ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated Islamabad’s new Metro Bus Project, with a speech to a packed Convention Centre on Thursday.

Nawaz was elated at the completion of the million-rupee transport project, as he smiled and made light-hearted jokes aimed at his brother — Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

“People are saying this [project] looks like we are in another country… this is not another country. This is a changing Pakistan!” the premier said.

Referring to the sophistication of the project, he joked that commuters may use it “just for fun”.

He said the Metro Bus is going to be a major convenience for commuters travelling between the two cities. Nawaz gave examples of students and government officers who would have to spend thousands each month for their commute between the cities. “Instead of changing two or three routes, they can now reach their destination in 15-20 minutes.”

Hinting at the protracted Islamabad sit-ins spearheaded by the rival Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), the premier said the project met with some delays but has finally been completed.

Nawaz also gave hope to the denizens of Karachi saying that Greenline Rapid Transport System will soon be launched in the metropolis.

Provincial chief ministers, federal ministers as well as leaders of various political parties are among those who attended the inauguration.

The 23-kilometre line, where 68 air-conditioned buses will carry an estimated 135,000 passengers a day along exclusive, signal-free lanes, links the neat, leafy capital with its sprawling twin city Rawalpindi.

The project was built in 13 months — six months longer than planned — at a cost of 44.84 billion rupees, and will use buses from Turkey.