Tourists allowed to enter in Murree

Rawalpindi: The government has decided to lift the ban on the entry of tourists into Murree. 

It is noteworthy here that the ban on tourists’ entry into Murree was imposed after the tragic incident that led to the passing of nearly 22 people earlier this month.

The hill station has been reopened for tourism after 20 days, after the installation of a new, state-of-the-art scientific system at all entrances of Murree to count all incoming vehicles.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tahir Farooq directed the City Traffic Police Officer (CTPO) and the National Highways Authority (NHA) to complete the count of all vehicles and motorcycles entering and leaving Murree from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa across all check posts of Murree. He has ordered for a daily report to be submitted to the competent authority.

The DC has also issued a four-point circular stating that 8,000 vehicles would be allowed to enter Murree on daily basis.

“In the case of overcrowding, the competent authority should be notified immediately. The weather report should also be taken into consideration on daily basis,” he added.

He further said that Murree Assistant Commissioner (AC), XEN Mechanical Machinery, and the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) will coordinate amongst each other. The AC will also liaison with Hotels and Trade Unions of Murree, he said.

“Moreover, alerts will be issued in the media regarding weather situations on daily basis,” said the DC.

He said that the ban on the entry of vehicles in Murree from 5am to 5pm has been lifted and a notification has been issued.

Earlier, the investigation team of Murree tragedy had  submitted report to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.  

After inquiry committee report on Murree tragedy – while addressing a press conference – CM Buzdar said that the action is being taken against 15 officers on the recommendations of the inquiry committee. “The inquiry report had pointed out carelessness and negligence. The concerned authorities were unable to perform their duties,” he added. 

On January 8, tourists mainly from Punjab and other high land areas present at the hill station to witness snowfall, were stranded in their vehicles after a snowstorm, and according to official data at least 23 of them later died.

On January 9, Punjab CM had formed a seven-member committee mandated to furnish its report by January 17. The committee was tasked to determine the causes and lapses that led to the Murree tragedy. After the deadline expired, the committee sought additional time to complete its probe.

As many as 15 officers including Rawalpindi Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner were removed from their positions in light of the inquiry committee presented to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on the tragic Murree incident.

The chief minister said that he has fulfilled his promise before the nation of transparent inquiry on the incident.

“Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi have been removed from his position and have been recommended to be suspended from his position,” he said. “It was a sad incident and every single Pakistani felt the pain.”

Usman Buzdar said that the government stands with the affecters of the tragedy, he said.

The chief minister also said that disciplinary action was recommended by removing the deputy commissioner (DC) from his office. He also said that CPO Rawalpindi, CTO Rawalpindi, DSP Traffic and ASP Murree have been removed from their posts and disciplinary action has been ordered against them.

Usman Buzdar said that it has also been recommended to remove the commissioner Rawalpindi, while all the officers have been suspended and disciplinary action has been ordered against them.

He further said that Assistant Commissioner (AC) Murree has also been removed from his post while the divisional forest officer Murree, the district emergency officer Murree, in-charge Murree Rescue 1122 and the PDMA director Punjab have been suspended.

The officials discharged from the duty are:

1- Commissioner Rawalpindi

2- Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi

3- CTO Rawalpindi

4- CPO Rawalpindi

5- ASP Muree

6- AC Muree

7- SP Highway Circle

8- DSP Traffic Muree

9- Incharge Rescue 1122 Muree

10- Director PDMA Punjab

11- Divisional Forrest Officer

12- District Emergency Officer 1122 Rawalpindi

13- SE Highway Rawalpindi

14- SDO Highway Mechanical Muree

15- XEN Highway Rawalpindi