| Usman Buzdar takes aerial view to inspect relief 
operation in Murree | Announces financial assistance 
of Rs17.6 million for families of deceased p

LAHORE   -  In the aftermath of the tragic Murree incident, the Punjab government has decided to take several administrative measures to prevent such incidents in future.

In this connection, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar chaired a high-level meeting in Gharial. Relief Commissioner, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) and others gave a detailed briefing about the rescue and relief operation.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, CPO, Deputy Commissioner and CTO Rawalpindi gave him a detailed report regarding the tragic incident and apprised him of different aspects of this tragedy in Murree. The Chief Minister was also briefed about the traffic management plan.

The meeting decided to award district status to Murree with a view to put in place an efficient administrative machinery to cope with any emergency situation. The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary and the SMBR to submit their suggestions in this regard. As an immediate measure, the meeting decided to appoint senior officers of the ranks of additional deputy commissioner and SP in Murree in order to prevent such tragic incidents in future. Approval was also granted to the establishment of two new police stations in Murree.

A preliminary report submitted to the Chief Minister highlighted administrative failures and lack of resources to deal with emergencies. According to the report, the Murree administration failed to place machinery and the necessary staff at the designated places for removal of snow from the main roads. The administration came into action at 8am the next day when the storm was over, the report said, which also mentioned that roads in Murree have not been repaired in the last two years.

It was also decided to construct two parking plazas at Sunny Bank and Jhika Gali to control the throng of tourists in Murree. The tourists will be brought to Mall Road through shuttle service from these parking plazas.

In future overcrowding of vehicles and tourists in Murree will be controlled and only specific numbers of vehicles and people will be allowed to enter the area. The meeting also approved the construction of link roads to Murree. The construction of these link roads will greatly help people enter and exit from Murree.

The Chief Minister ordered indiscriminate action against the illegal constructions and directed to reevaluate the SOPs besides evolving short- and long-term planning to prevent such tragic incidents in future. He also directed that trail bikes and wireless sets should be given to the Rescue 1122 staff.

Usman Buzdar directed action against such hotels which are overcharging in Murree. He said that overcharging in hotel rent in Murree was absolutely unbearable.

Usman Buzdar expressed indignation over the arrival of more vehicles in Murree than its capacity. He made it clear that indiscriminate action will be taken against those responsible for this negligence in the light of the inquiry report.

The Chief Minister also announced to hold a high level inquiry about this tragic incident, adding that the committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Home Punjab will submit its report within seven days. Usman Buzdar also announced financial assistance of Rs17600,000 for the families of the deceased.

The Chief Minister said that though material relief cannot satisfy the grief of the heirs, but the Punjab government stands with them in their time of trial. “All the sympathies of the Punjab government are with the families of the deceased,” said Usman Buzdar. “The government will not leave the bereaved families alone,” he added. Usman Buzdar further maintained that every Pakistani is aggrieved over this tragic incident.

Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat, MNA Sadaqat Abbasi, MPA Latasib Satti, Spokesperson Hasaan Khawar, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Construction and Communications, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, RPO Rawalpindi, CPO Rawalpindi, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi and officials concerned attended the meeting.

Also, the Chief Minister took an aerial round of Murree and visited Gharial and other affected areas for three hours and reviewed the relief operation.