Ban on tourists visiting Murree, Galyat to remain in place for next 24 hours

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the ban on tourists visiting Murree and Galyat will remain in place for another 24 hours on Sunday.

Rashid said the residents of Murree and adjoining areas will be allowed to pass only by showing their CNICs. “The situation in Murree and Galyat is under constant review,” he added.

Sheikh Rashid further said the decision to go to Murree and Galyat for tourists will be taken after considering the situation.

On the other side, Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal appealed to the citizens to avoid heading to Murree. He said that the situation of the weather still remains the same. 

Kamran Afzal also said that frozen snow on the roads made driving more difficult. He further said that all entrances to Murree are being closed. Therefore, citizens should avoid travelling towards Murree, he added.

The preliminary report of the tragic incident that took place in Murree was submitted to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Bazdar on Sunday.

According to the report, the construction of main roads in Murree has not been repaired for previous two years while the other roads were blocked due to heavy snow. There were no machines of Highway Department for clearing snow from the exit routes as well as no arrangement of clearing snow on urgent basis were provided by the government.

“Due to non-availability of electricity convinced the tourists to sleep in the car park on the roads. There is also no parking plaza in Muree where vehicles can be parked. On January 7, four feet of snow fell within 16 hours. As many as 162,000 vehicles entered into Murree from January 3 to 7.” 

The report further stated that the traffic was blocked due to falling tree in sixteen points. At least 21,000 vehicles were sent back, 22 people were killed in 4 to 5 vehicles, these people died due to excessive carbon monoxide. “The deaths occurred due to excess carbon monoxide. The power has been restored across 70% of the areas,” conveyed the report.

Following to the report, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) expressed anger for not proper management of the traffic system and directed to take action over overcharging tourists. 

On the other hand, all major roads in Murree have been cleared for all types of traffic. 

According to the Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR), after clearance of main roads, Army engineers are now focusing on link roads.

Relief camps, medical facilities are fully operating and Army transport is plying for moving of stranded tourists to Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Meanwhile, operations for the evacuation of snow storm stranded tourists in Murree and Galyat are in full swing by Pakistan Air Force.

Spokesperson of the PAF said that during the rescue operations, PAF personnel have shifted more than 100 persons, including women and children at PAF Bases Kalabagh and Lower Topa. Shelter, food and medical facilities are being provided round the clock to the affected families by the rescue teams of PAF.