ISLAMABAD - Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday said that the ban on using roads for Murree and Galiyat by tourists would continue for further 24 hours.

In a statement, he said that the citizens of Murree and adjacent areas would only be allowed to travel on these roads. He said that the situation of Murree and Galiyat was being monitored on a regular basis. 

He said that any decision to allow movement to Murree and Galiyat would be made while considering the latest situation. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Muhammad Ali on Monday said that snow had been removed from major highways of Murree, but due to heavy snowfall, the roads were slippery, and there was ice on both sides of the roads.

According to the DC office spokesman, the District administration and related departments were working hard to remove snow from Murree’s internal city link roads and to fully restore the hill station’s traffic.

He asked the tourists to refrain from visiting the Murree and its surrounding areas until the entire rescue operation was completed and urged the residents to cooperate with the district administration.

Situation of Murree and Galiyat is being monitored on a regular basis

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar had asked Commissioner Rawalpindi to take strict action against those involved in profiteering and overcharging.

In a tweet, expressing displeasure over overcharging by the Murree hotel owners, the CM directed the Rawalpindi administration officials to take non-discriminatory action against the shopkeepers and hotel owners for violating prescribed rent and official rates.