The soldiers of Pakistan Army on Saturday have participated in relief activities to rescue tourists stranded in Murree, Galiyat due to heavy snowfall.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army personnel are shifting the tourists to safe places.

On the other hand, Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed confirmed that 16-19 people have lost their lives due to snowstorm in Murree and other northern areas.

Over 100,000 cars had entered the scenic town of Murree in the past few days to see the unusually heavy snowfalls, causing an enormous traffic jam on roads leading in and out, a police spokesman said.

Murree, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) northeast of Islamabad, has long been popular for day trips from the capital.

Punjab province chief minister’s office said Murree had been declared a "disaster area" and urged people to stay away.