Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar laid the foundation stone of Firdous Market underpass project here on Monday. Talking on the occasion, the CM said that a sum of Rs 1.76 billion would be spent on that project which included land acquisition. Giving the details, he said the original estimate cost for the construction was Rs 1.9 billion, but the government managed to save Rs 130 million through transparent tendering. "This project is estimated to be completed in a period of four months but the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has been directed to finish it in 90 days," he added.

The CM emphasized he would personally supervise that important project, adding the public resources were misused in the past but this government will save public money. "Money minting was the preference of the past tenure, but this government aims to save money and spend it on public welfare projects," he added.