Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday has termed local administration responsible for the deaths of tourists in snow-hit Murree.

In a statement, the PPP chief extended condolences to the bereaved family and pledged to stand with them in this difficult time.

The precious lives could have been saved by taking timely steps, he added.

The reaction came after 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.