LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has declared emergency in Murree and adjacent areas in view of current situation due to snowfall.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, he said that an emergency had been declared in all the state departments including police, administration, Rescue-1122 and public hospitals to deal with the situation.

He directed the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Relief Commissioner, Rescue 1122 Director General and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) DG to lead the rescue activities.

The chief minister has also reserved his personal helicopter for rescue operation, whereas, all the state rest houses in Murree and adjacent areas had been opened for tourists. He also directed the Rescue 1122 DG to reach Murree and lead the rescue operation. Also, the Chief Minister directed to expedite the rescue operation for stranded tourists in Murree due to heavy snowfall. He was chairing a meeting held to review in detail the situation developed in Murree after heavy snowfall. The meeting was told that necessary machinery was being shifted to Murree, whereas, all roads leading to Murree had already been closed.

The Punjab government was in frequent contact with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for better coordination in the situation. The Chief Minister instructed to use all resources to rescue all the stranded tourists before night. He said that an emergency had been imposed after declaring Murree snowfall a natural calamity, and, help from army had been sought for rescue activities.