Inquiry committee formed to probe causes, lapses in Murree, notification issued

Lahore: The Punjab government on Sunday constituted an inquiry committee to determine causes and lapses in Murree.

According to the notification issued by the Punjab government, the high-level inquiry committee will be headed by Additional Chief Secretary to Punjab Government Zafar Nasarullah while Ali Sarfraz, Asad Gillani and Farooq Mazhar will be members of the probe body.

The notification also stated that the committee has been directed to submit its report within seven days and identify the elements involved in negligence.

“The committee will determine those responsible for the Murree tragedy and investigate whether the government agencies had taken any joint action despite the stern warning of the Meteorological Department or not.”

It further said that the committee will also investigate why vehicles were not stopped in Islamabad to prevent entry into Murree and Galyat.

TORs

The committee will inter alia focus on the following aspects:

According to the Terms of Reference (ToRs), the committee would identify were concerned authorities including district administration, police, traffic police had coordinated any joint plan of action to prevent crisis situation in light of several warnings issued by the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD).

Inquiry committe constituted to determine the causes and Lapses in #Murree, with comprehensive TORs.

The committee will complete the inquiry and determine responsibility withing 7 days
#murreetragedy #Nathiagali pic.twitter.com/yUSxeE0CAc

— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) January 9, 2022

Were any travel restrictions issued through electronic, print or social media to warn not to travel Murree?

Were any measures taken to regulate/ control the influx of vehicles/ tourists into Murree?

Was any traffic count kept of vehicles entering Murree?

Was any contingency plan prepared to deal with a crisis situation?

What were the lapses that contributed to the crisis?

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.