Guns banned in Murree in bid to make hill-station tourist-friendly

CPO tells police to ensure safe, secure environment for people coming on Eid and Independence Day holidays

RAWALPINDI: Murree has been declared an arms free zone to ensure safety of visitors, peace and tranquility during the upcoming Eidul Azha and Independence Day Holidays, said Rawalpindi division police chief Muhammad Faisal Rana.

Scores of local and foreign tourists will be coming to most famous holiday spot and their safety is the responsibility of police, Rawalpindi City Police Officer Muhammad Faisal Rana said chairing meeting of senior officers of the division.

“No weapon, legal or illegal, will be allowed to enter Murree. If any incident of firing occurs, the hotel where suspects are staying will also be held responsible,” he said.

Presiding a high-level meeting, Rawalpindi SSP Operations Syed Ali Akbar, Saddar Division SP Rai Mazhar, CTO Rawalpindi Muhammad Bin Ashraf along with other officers, CPO accorded approval of the special security and traffic plan for the district Rawalpindi and Murree on the occasions of Eidul Azha and celebrations of Independence Day.

Usman Buzdar opens Murree House for the public

He cancelled vacations of the officers and officials and ordered full deployment of force at important places.

The camp offices of CPO, CTO and Saddar SP have been established at Murree, the CPO visited different tourist spots of Murree alongside SP Saddar Rai Mazhar Iqbal.

The CPO was briefed that, Eid Ul Azha and Independence day celebrations shall be coinciding with each other this year, due to which intensive security arrangements have been done in Rawalpindi and Murree.

The meeting was informed that 128,000 vehicles entered Murree on Eidul Fitr this year, whereas 60,000 vehicles entered Murree on Eidul Azha last year. It was expected that on the joint holidays of Eidul Azha and Independence Day at least 150,000 vehicles will enter Murree and likewise the arrival of around 500,000 people was expected in the area.

CPO Rana said that foreign and local tourists visiting Murree on the joyous days shall be “our guests and the country will be their host. We are supposed to provide them a serene atmosphere with foolproof security to bring pride to our country,” he said.

Sending tourists back happy and content will help build positive image of Rawalpindi police. He made it clear that no matter legal or illegal, nobody will be allowed to display arms in the tourist spot.

Only police and LEAs will be allowed to bear and carry arms. He said aerial firing was totally out of question. If any hotel fails to maintain and present the record of any person who made a check-in or checkout, not only that hotel shall be sealed but also strict legal action shall be taken against the hotel manager, owner, and administration.

If firearms are found in any hotel, cases will be registered against the possessor as well as the owner and administration of that hotel in addition to their arrest.

Besides ensuring security, CPO said, police will also ensure that hotels do not take undue advantage of tourist rush. “No hotel shall charge a penny more than the fixed charges,” he said.

Mall Road in Murree declared no-car zone

Regarding eve teasers he said he will personally deal with anyone who dares cast an evil eye on the mothers, sisters, and daughters of the nation visiting Murree as tourists.

“We resolve to provide women complete security and peaceful atmosphere to enjoy their holiday in Murree,” he said.

Traffic congestion

CPO said it was impossible to change the roads but traffic management was possible. Whether the number of vehicles entering Murree exceeds the estimated number, traffic shall not come to a halt even for a minute.

Traffic police will strictly follow the formula of ‘first greet then speak’.

After the meeting CPO Rana visited Murree along SP Saddar Rai Mazhar and CTO Muhammad Bin Ashraf to inaugurated the CPO camp office, SP Saddar camp office and CTO camp office.

He said that all the concerned Police Officers including him shall be present in Murree at their respective camp offices in the aforementioned days, whereas the reserves of the police force shall be standby at the Rawalpindi Police Lines.

Hides they seek

CPO Rana said people collecting hides of sacrificial animals should get no-objection certificate (NOC) from the deputy commissioner, otherwise they would be booked under Anti-terrorism Act.

Mosques, madrassas and welfare organisations collect and sell hides of sacrificial animals for generating funds. However, some banned organisations use this occasion to collect funds.

Police will promptly arrest people collecting hides if they cannot produce an NOC, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2019.