Tag: murree

  • Major changes in Punjab’s National and Provincial Assembly seats

    Major changes in Punjab’s National and Provincial Assembly seats

    Five newly created districts in Punjab are set to receive a total of 13 national and provincial assembly seats as part of the preliminary delimitation, marking a notable shift in the political landscape.

    The districts in question are Kot Addu, Taunsa, Wazirabad, Talagang, and Murree. Among these, Kot Addu district in southern Punjab stands out, securing two National Assembly seats, NA-179 and NA-180, along with three provincial assembly constituencies: PP-276, PP-277, and PP-278.

    Wazirabad and Taunsa districts are also set to gain representation, with Wazirabad obtaining NA-66, PP-35, and PP-36, while Taunsa secures NA-183, PP-284, and PP-285.

    Talagang, which was carved out of Chakwal, will now share a National Assembly seat, NA-59, with Chakwal itself. This arrangement leads to Chakwal having one independent NA seat, and Talagang securing one provincial assembly seat, PP-23. PP-22 will be referred to as Chakwal-cum-Talagang.

    Similarly, Murree will not have an independent NA seat but will be included in NA-51, referred to as Rawalpindi-cum-Murree. Nonetheless, Murree will have representation in the provincial assembly with PP-06.

    These changes also entail a reduction in the number of national and provincial assembly seats for some districts. Dera Ghazi Khan, for instance, will see a decrease from four to three NA seats and a reduction from eight to six provincial assembly seats. Muzaffargarh, too, will experience a decrease, with two fewer NA seats, resulting in a drop from six to four NA seats, and a reduction in provincial assembly seats from 12 to eight.

    Gujranwala and Hafizabad, despite Gujranwala’s sizable population of 5.95 million, will collectively have only five seats, despite the potential for an additional independent seat. Dera Ghazi Khan is also set to lose one NA seat and two provincial assembly seats.

    These changes in seat allocations underscore the evolving political landscape in Punjab, reflecting efforts to ensure fair and equitable representation for all regions within the province.

  • Here are all the celebrities who were present at Mahira Khan, Salim Karim’s wedding

    Here are all the celebrities who were present at Mahira Khan, Salim Karim’s wedding

    Pakistan’s sweetheart Mahira Khan was a picture of serenity at her intimate wedding to tech businessman Salim Karim.

    There was barely any information of who was invited to the private occasion, where only close friends and family members, along with a few figures from the entertainment industry, were present. In our previous story, we were able to decipher that among the attendees were PPP Senator Sherry Rehman, fashion designer and Mahira’s childhood best friend Feeha Noor Javed, and social media bloggers.

    READ MORE: Who attended Mahira Khan, Salim Karim’s wedding?

    However, it looks like some celebrities did attend the occasion. Producer Nina Kashif shared pictures of the event on her Instagram stories, where director and actor Sarmad Khoosat, actor Shehryar Munawar, singer Azaan Sami Khan, fashion designer Asim Raza, director Nabeel Qureshi could be seen.

    The producer, who partnered with the ‘Raees’ actress to purchase the rights of Faiqa Mansab’s book ‘This House Of Clay and Water’ shared some pictures from the mehndi where actress Momal Sheikh was also present, who is starring in Mahira’s currently airing drama ‘Razia’.

    The sister of the groom Farah shahid Karim had shared a picture of the family along with the groom with the caption: “My brother’s wedding”

  • As peak tourist season approaches, ‘Safe Tourist Programme’ approved for Murree

    As peak tourist season approaches, ‘Safe Tourist Programme’ approved for Murree

    Before the commencement of the winter tourism season in Murree and nearby galiyaat in the coming month, a comprehensive tourist programme has been approved to guarantee the safety of visiting families, reports Express Tribune.

    Under the programme, arrangements have been made for security, checking of vehicles and 24-hour clearing of snow in the district where standard “Tourism Services Rules” will also be regulated.

    During the snowy season, traffic police will not permit more than the designated number of vehicles to enter Murree and beyond, 17 miles of the Toll Plaza, no vehicle will be permitted to enter the district regardless of the number that the district administration and traffic police officers may decide.

    There are 215 small and large hotels in Murree overall, according to the report of the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, and over 150 locals rent out their homes and common places. According to the tourism standard policy, there are a total of 24,239 tourist rooms available in hotels and guesthouses in Murree.

    Additionally, a uniformed civil defence force will be stationed in Murree to safeguard visitors from confrontations throughout the winter months.

    The local youth-led civil defence team will also be equipped with walkie-talkies and batons.
    The members of this force will be spread out in the city’s major markets in various shifts. 15 volunteers from civil defence will make up the force.

    A total of 50 more traffic wardens will be dispatched to Murree to manage the city’s traffic for the entire season.
    Rent for both heated and non heated hotel rooms will be pre-set. The additional deputy commissioner for Murree will keep an eye on hotel rents during the peak season.

    Food prices will be fixed in markets, and there will be distinct prices for each sort of entertainment. These prices and fees will be prominently displayed on banners with large prints.

    The installation of a price list will be required at all venues for entertainment, including lodging and food stands.

    Earlier this year in January, a traffic jam in Murree turned deadly after 23 people, including children, were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning as they waited in their cars with engines running.

  • A maximum of 8,000 vehicles will be permitted to enter Murree on Eid-ul-Azha

    A maximum of 8,000 vehicles will be permitted to enter Murree on Eid-ul-Azha

    On Eid-ul-Azha, the City Traffic Police (CTP) of Rawalpindi will send out 360 Wardens and Traffic officers as part of a special traffic plan devised for Murree.

    Naveed Irshad, the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) for Rawalpindi, stated that the CTP had completed all preparatory work in addition to establishing a control room to assist tourists and keep an eye on the traffic situation in Murree.

    He claimed that the Rawalpindi Traffic Police were making every effort to assist the tourists, adding that special traffic arrangements had been made with regard to their security.

    He added that traffic wardens had been instructed to work diligently and resolutely to maintain traffic flow so that traffic jams, particularly on congested roads, could be avoided and the citizens could receive relief, and that CTP would make use of all available resources to guarantee smooth traffic flow in Murree.

    According to the CTO, Murree has a 3,500 vehicle parking capacity, and according to district administration guidelines, a maximum of 8,000 vehicles are permitted entry.

    At Murree’s entry and exit points, specialised counting and checking pickets would also be placed, he added.

    He added that traffic wardens had been instructed to impound motorcycles and one-wheelers in relevant police stations. He said one-wheelers and drifters would be handled  strictly, and those who violate the law would be sent to prison.

  • 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.

  • Court declares NDMA responsible for Murree tragedy

    Court declares NDMA responsible for Murree tragedy

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has 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.

    The NDMA Chairman is Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz since 2020.

    During the hearing, the court asked the NDMA whether a letter had been written to the Opposition leader to call a meeting of the commission. At this, the official said the Opposition leader had not asked them to call a meeting, reports Geo News.

    “You have failed, it was your responsibility to call a meeting, you were responsible for providing a national management plan to the area,” the justice told the management member.

    Justice Minallah said that had the NDMA ensured that everyone followed the law, such incidents would not have happened.

    It is also revealed that NDMA held its last meeting on March 28, 2018. To this court chief Justice Athar Minallah questioned that, “It is a powerful body. How come no meeting took place since 2018.”

    The court ordered Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to call a meeting of the commission next week and directed the NDMA member to submit a report on the incident by next Friday.

    The hearing was called because of a petition by Hammad Abbasi, a Murree resident. According to him, on their way to Murree neither were they stopped and nor were they warned of the danger.

  • Murree residents block roads by throwing snow, demand money, investigation ordered

    Murree residents block roads by throwing snow, demand money, investigation ordered

    Rawalpindi police has taken notice of the repeated incidents of blocking of roads in Murree by people throwing snow. Capital City Policer Officer (CCPO) has taken the notice of a complaint registered by a citizen and has ordered relevant authorities to take action against the people involved. Further investigations are underway.

    Earlier, Journalist Hamid Mir posted a video of a person narrating how some locals of Murree throw snow on the roads on purpose. They then demand money from the tourists in return of clearing the roads.

  • ‘Theatrics of Usman Buzdar’: CM Punjab gets trolled for helicopter survey of Murree

    ‘Theatrics of Usman Buzdar’: CM Punjab gets trolled for helicopter survey of Murree

    Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar on Sunday arrived in Murree to review the rescue operation in the area after at least 22 people died in their snow-trapped cars.

    The CM’s visit received a lot of criticism as he did an ‘aerial survey’ of Murree. CM Buzdar arrived in his helicopter and overlooked the snow-covered area.

    Journalist Sumaira Khan took to Twitter and shared a video where CM Buzdar can be seen travelling in the helicopter and overlooking Murree.

    Twitter reacted to the shared video.

  • ‘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”.