Tag: Murree incident

  • Don’t close car windows fully, advisory tells tourists in Murree

    Don’t close car windows fully, advisory tells tourists in Murree

    A special advisory has been issued for tourists after the increase in the number of tourists due to snowfall in Murree.

    The district administration of Islamabad has decided to stop tourists at the 17-mile point, reports Geo.

    According to DC Islamabad Irfan Memon, the decision to stop the entry of tourists to Murree was taken due to the increase in rush as tourists make their way to the hill station to enjoy snowfall.

    Irfan Memon says that more tourists will be allowed to enter when the rush eases, adding that the decision was taken after consultation with the Murree district administration.

    Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Taimur Khan has said that awareness pamphlets are being given to the tourists coming to Murree at the entry points.

    According to the CTO, only license-holder drivers are allowed to enter Murree, tourists traveling to Murree should use anti-cooling liquid in the vehicle and chain the vehicle tires during snowfall, tourists should also bring extra warm clothes and glasses while driving. Do not cover the exhaust completely as this produces deadly carbon monoxide.

    Taimur Khan said that visiting tourists should not park their vehicles wrongly as there is limited parking space in the city.

    It is to be noted that back in January 2022, At least 21 people died of hypothermia after heavy snow trapped them in their vehicles as tens of thousands of visitors thronged the resort town of Murree.

  • 46 per cent of Pakistanis think Imran Khan is corrupt: survey

    46 per cent of Pakistanis think Imran Khan is corrupt: survey

    The Quarterly Performance Evaluation Survey (QPES), a Pulse Consultant’s indigenous tracking tool of public perceptions about the government’s performance has released its report.

    According to a question in the report, when responders were asked: “Do you agree with [PM] Imran Khan’s statement of him being a brand and not being corrupt?” a total of 46 per cent didn’t agree with him and only 19 per cent believe the premier.

    65 per cent of responders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa think that corruption and poor performance in the province led to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) defeat in the local election.

    It is revealed that 77 per cent think that the Murree tragedy was a sudden disaster.

    Further, the survey says that 18 per cent of the country is satisfied with PM Khan and 56 per cent believe PM Khan’s claim that Pakistan is out of the economic crisis. 15 per cent think that inflation will be reduced in the next three months.

    84 per cent of Pakistanis consider inflation as the biggest problem of the country and 99 per cent of Pakistanis say ‘Inflation has increased in past three months.’

  • ‘Authorities were unable to perform their duties’: CM Buzdar suspends 15 officials responsible for Murree tragedy

    ‘Authorities were unable to perform their duties’: CM Buzdar suspends 15 officials responsible for Murree tragedy

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday ordered the suspension of 15 officials for being negligent towards their duties.

    CM Buzdar,while addressing a press conference, revealed the findings of the inquiry report and said that Rawalpindi’s deputy commissioner has been removed and disciplinary action has been ordered against him.

    The Murree assistant commissioner has also been suspended along with Murree’s assistant superintendent of police (ASP), said the CM.

    Buzdar further said that the Rawalpindi chief traffic officer (CTO), traffic deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Murree divisional forest officer, Murree district emergency officer, Murree Rescue 1122 in charge, and Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) director have also been suspended and disciplinary action has been ordered against them.

    The chief minister said that disciplinary action has been ordered against these 15 officers over the Murree tragedy as “concerned authorities were unable to perform their duties.”

    “The government has fulfilled its promise of a transparent inquiry into the Murree tragedy,” Buzdar said, adding the inquiry report has highlighted the shortcomings of the authorities.

  • ‘[PTI leaders] spent winter nights in heated bedrooms,’ Maryam blasts govt, says no rift in party

    ‘[PTI leaders] spent winter nights in heated bedrooms,’ Maryam blasts govt, says no rift in party

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday rejected the claims of the government of having a forward bloc within the party and said that the government was fabricating such stories to divert attention from its incompetence.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Sunday claimed that four PML-N leaders were “hell-bent on removing the party supremo Nawaz Sharif from the party.”

    Addressing a gathering in Lahore, Fawad said that there is a “rat race going on among senior PML-N members as to who would lead the party next,” adding that, “four top-most party leaders want to remove PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in a bid to take over the party’s leadership.”

    When asked about the reported attempt by her party leaders to replace the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Maryam said that Fawad’s statement was a way to hide from the questions of media about rising inflation and the government’s inabilities that led to the recent Murree tragedy.

    She said that after the death of tourists, instead of providing a balm to the wounds of the bereaved families, the inconsiderate ministers and government machinery started victim-blaming.

    Criticising the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership who used to make fun of PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam said, “Instead of following his example and borrowing the boots from him, they [PTI leaders] spent winter nights in the heated bedrooms of their official residences, maintained on public expense while tourists were dying in the snow.”

  • Murree, other districts finalise fresh emergency plan ahead of upcoming rain and snow

    Murree, other districts finalise fresh emergency plan ahead of upcoming rain and snow

    The administration of Rawalpindi district, which includes Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Kotli Sattian, Murree, Rawalpindi Tehsil, and Taxila has finalised a fresh contingency plan ahead of the upcoming rain and snow that is forecasted for the hilly areas from Tuesday, January 18, and Thursday, January 20.

    The Meteorological Office has asked all departments to make appropriate arrangements ahead of the snowfall and rain in the region.

    Additional deputy commissioner and three assistant commissioners have been deployed in Murree to avoid another tragedy.

    According to the new plan, much of the focus will be on snow removal and traffic management. Entry in the hill station will be regulated which means not more 8,000 vehicles will be allowed to enter.

    In addition, the probe committee, which is expected to submit its report to Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on January 16, is now camped out at the Punjab House in Islamabad.

    Earlier this week, The Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) responsible for the Murree tragedy which killed 23 people, including children due to carbon monoxide poisonous gas in their cars.

  • CM Sindh compares murderer Shahrukh Jatoi living in luxury to Murree tragedy

    CM Sindh compares murderer Shahrukh Jatoi living in luxury to Murree tragedy

    Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Murad Ali Shah addressed the media on Tuesday and said that he got to know about death row convict Shahrukh Jatoi’s luxurious life in the private hospital room yesterday.

    During the press conference, in an absurd reference, the CM repeatedly compared Shahrukh Jatoi’s case to the Murree tragedy.

    He said that no family died in this case because of the cold but he really appreciated that the media aired the news. He assured that those who are responsible for providing the convict [Shahrukh] facilities will be punished.

    “I have directed the administration for an inquiry. This is not acceptable”, he added.

    While pointing out the government’s incompetency in the Murree tragedy, he stated that he will not back the administration and say that they did “good” work.

    Jatoi was transferred to the hospital when he complained of a backache and later, reportedly complained of having gastric problems.

    According to the rules, if the life of a prisoner is in danger, he would be transferred to public or private hospitals. However, the provincial health department did not receive any letter to shift him to the private hospital.

    When the news aired on various channels, the administration of the jail came into action and Jatoi was put behind bars once again. He was arrested after he killed Shahzeb Khan in 2012.

  • ‘Whole human disappears in 10 feet’: Twitter schools PTI’s Shahbaz Gill for ludicrous statement

    ‘Whole human disappears in 10 feet’: Twitter schools PTI’s Shahbaz Gill for ludicrous statement

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication, Dr Shahbaz Gill took to Twitter to comment on why the Governor House in Murree was not opened for the people stuck in Murree since many started providing assistance to the ones stuck in the snow-covered area, where at least 22 people were killed.

    Gill tweeted, “Some people are criticising that there is a Governor House in Murree, why it has not been opened?”

    “I have just returned from a failed attempt to enter the Governor House,” tweeted Gill, adding, “there is 10 feet snow and there is no way to get inside. When I tried to walk, my whole leg sank in the snow.”

    Gill’s statement of his leg sinking into ten feet of snow caught the attention of netizens. Twitterati schooled Gill that it was impossible for a human to walk through ten feet of snow, as the entire body sinks in that much snow.

    https://twitter.com/Raza1512/status/1480347122813734913
  • CM Buzdar forms committee to investigate Murree tragedy

    CM Buzdar forms committee to investigate Murree tragedy

    Punjab Chief (CM) Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday formed a five-member committee to investigate the causes and lapses that led to the death of at least 22 tourists who were stranded in Murree due to heavy snowfall.

    Buzdar vowed an “impartial action” against all those found negligent in their duties. According to these terms, the committee will ascertain which government departments were responsible for the crisis situation that unfolded in Murree.

    The committee will look into what precautionary measures were taken by institutions in light of the weather advisory issued by the Met Office. It will determine whether a warning was run on media to prevent people from travelling to the tourist destination.

    Buzdar said that in seven days, a probe committee supervised by the additional chief secretary for the Punjab home department, will submit a report, and “indiscriminate action” will be taken against those found negligent in their duties.

    The chief minister also announced Rs one crore 76 lakh in financial assistance for the families of the deceased, while noting that monetary assistance is “no substitute for human life”.

    It also quoted Buzdar as saying that the entry of vehicles and tourists in Murree would be controlled from now on.

    “Vehicles and tourists exceeding the specified limit would not be allowed to enter Murree,” Buzdar was quoted as saying.

    The chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against hotels involved in overcharging rent, terming it “absolutely intolerable”.

  • ‘If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do’: Fawad on Murree

    ‘If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do’: Fawad on Murree

    Federal Minister for information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry addressed the tragic Murree incident and said when tens of thousand vehicles enter an area simultaneously there would be chaos.

    According to him, all the vehicles entered Murree within 24 hours despite several warnings from the administration.

    In a press conference along with the Federal Minister of Education Shafqat Mahmood, Fawad said, “If five thousand guests come to someone’s house without telling him what he can do.”

    Referring to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s statement, “We are looking into the situation. We should learn from such incidents.”

    The federal minister also defended his previous statement that the common man traveling to Murree shows they’re getting rich by saying that the economy is getting “stronger”.

    He urged the media to advise people, not to go to northern areas as they are already full. Moreover, he updated that Express Highway is cleared and the evacuation process is underway.

    Talking about the Opposition’s criticism, he said they just did politics and pointed out Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

    As of now, 22 deaths have been reported in Murree. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said the authorities would evacuate 1,000 vehicles by today evening, while the roads would remain closed to Murree till tomorrow 9pm.

  • ‘Heart wrenching’: Pakistani notables react after 21 stranded tourists die in Murree

    ‘Heart wrenching’: Pakistani notables react after 21 stranded tourists die in Murree

    Several Pakistani notables took to their social media after 21 stranded tourists died in Murree on Saturday.

    All the routes in Murree were blocked after thousands of vehicles entered the city, leaving tourists helpless on the roads.

    Pakistani actor Ayesha Omar wrote: “The scenario in murree is #Heartbreaking. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones and also all the hundreds of people who were stranded all night. It’s horrific. May Allah bless the souls of the ones departed.”

    Similarly, Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, taking to Twitter, said: “I am very shocked & sad to see the heart wrenching images/videos coming from Murree, stay safe everyone, my heart goes out to the families of the deceased, May The Almighty bless the departed souls…”

    Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal, singer turned actor Junaid Khan, director Nabeel Qureshi, author Fatima Bhutto, actors Faysal Quraishi, Ahmad Ali But and Usman Mukhtar took to their social media to express their thoughts on the dreadful event.

    The Punjab government has declared Murree as a calamity-hit area after heavy snowfall wreaked havoc in the city. Taking notice of the chaos and emergency situation, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has directed to open the government’s offices and rest houses for the stranded tourists.