Chaos: Traffic jam in Murree, Damn-e-Koh mar Eid celebrations

Around 7,000 cars vehicles reached the hill station.

MUREE/ ISLAMABAD: People in large numbers, rushed to recreational and hill stations for amusement on third day of Eid but ended up engaging in a fierce fight, brawling and thrashing each other.

A severe traffic jam was reported on Murree Road including thousands of vehicles stranded in miles-long queues.

The tourists in this way faced extreme difficulties in reaching their desired destination.

A total of 7,000 cars had reached Murree while the hill station has a capacity of 3,100 vehicles parking spots. It was estimated that the number of these cars could increase to 12,000. The local government and police had suggested people not to visit Murree for some time.

Meanwhile, other recreational spots like Daman-e-Koh and Rawal Lake View Park were thronged by people on Eid.

The main spots including Rawal Lake View Park, Fatima Jinnah Park, Shakarparian, Daman-e-Koh, Rawal Dam and Pir Sohawa in the capital were seen overcrowded, while Nawaz Sharif Park, Ayub Park, Safari Park, Race Course and Jinnah Park in Rawalpindi were packed with people.

The district police had made special security arrangements at picnic points with heavy deployment to maintain law and order.

Senior Superintendent Police Sajid Kiani deployed additional police force to ensure security of citizens of the capital during Eid holidays.

According to details, on the special directives of Inspector General Police Islamabad, Tariq Masood Yaseen, SSP Islamabad Sajid Kiyani has instructed police officials to remain vigilant and ensure presence of police personnel at all the picnic spots.

The SSP directed police officials to remain alert and tighten security at entry and exit points of the city to avert any untoward situation.

He also asked SP Zones to monitor the security in their respective areas and brief the police personal keeping in view the present scenario, tighten the patrolling and keep an eye on the suspects.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2016.