LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to continue its policy of purchasing wheat through the private sector, besides allowing free transportation of the commodity acrossthe province.

The decision was made in a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday to review the current situation before the wheat harvest.

The meeting allowed `free transportation of wheat across the province and it was decided to continue the policy of purchasing wheat through the private sector, freemarket and deregulation,` a handout says.

The meeting expressed satisfaction that the Punjab government awarded 1,000 tractors free of cost to the wheat farmers. `Farmers are our brothers, their interests will be protected under any circumstances, the CM said.

Meanwhile, the CM, presiding over a meeting of the transport department, gave approval to launch 1,500 electric buses in different cities of the province.She directed to launch new transport system in six districts -Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan.

The CM ordered the carrying out of the process of purchasing 380 electric buses in the first phase for Lahore and Gujranwala, setting a deadline of next June for the launch of the e-bus service in the two cities.

The meeting decided to start the orange and red bus services in Faisalabad. The red bus service will operate from Samundri Road to Sargodha Road and the orange bus service from Jaranwala to Jhang Road.

The CM also sought a plan for the immediate construction of e-bus tracks in Faisalabad and Gujranwala.

She also sought a plan to establish charging stations for the e-buses, besides approving the latest transport tower command and control centre in Lahore.