Murree declared ‘calamity-stricken’

Punjab CM says emergency declared in all departments

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Saturday declared Murree “calamity-stricken” and also a state of emergency at the hill station following the death of at least 22 tourists, who were stranded in their vehicles overnight because of a snowstorm.

The chief minister has directed all agencies concerned to quickly conduct the rescue operation and evacuate stranded tourists from Murree. A statement quoted him saying that an emergency had been declared in all departments, including police, administrative offices, Rescue 1122 and hospitals.
He also permitted the use of the Punjab government’s helicopter for the rescue and relief operation.
The helicopter has reached Islamabad and would take part in the rescue operation when the weather conditions improved.

وزیر اعلی راولپنڈی پہنچ چکے ہیں اور خود ریلیف اور ریسکیو آپریشن کا جائزہ لے رہے ہیں۔ انہوں نے انتظامیہ، پولیس، 1122، پی ڈی ایم اے اور باقی ایجنسیوں کو کام مزید تیز کرنے کی ہدایت کی ہے۔

آج وزیر اعلی کے ہیلی کاپٹر سے ریسکیو آپریشن کی فضائی نگرانی بھی کی جاتی رہی۔ pic.twitter.com/buEKDYOc8M

— Hasaan Khawar (@hasaankhawar) January 8, 2022

The provincial chief secretary, police chief, relief commissioner as well as the directors general of Rescue 1122 and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have been directed to carry on relief activities on an emergent basis. The army had also been called in to assist the civil administration for relief activities.

Buzdar said that evacuating the stranded tourists was the top priority of the government. He added that the tourists were being provided with necessary relief items, including food supplies. The Rescue 1122 DG has been directed to reach Murree to lead the rescue operation.

Also read: Calamity in Murree as at least 22 tourists freeze to death in cars

Snow cutters and necessary machinery have been sent to Murree from Rawalpindi and other cities.
The chief minister also presided over a meeting to review the situation. He directed the chief secretary, the provincial police chief and communication and works (C&W) secretary to further accelerate the relief activities and rescue operation to evacuate the tourists stuck in Murree.

وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب @UsmanAKBuzdar کی زیر صدارت ہنگامی اجلاس: مری میں پیدا ہونیوالی صورتحال کا تفصیلی جائزہ لیا گیا
وزیراعلیٰ کی پھنسے ہوئے سیاحوں کو نکالنے کیلئے ریسکیو آپریشن کو تیز کرنے کی ہدایت
سیکرٹری تعمیرات و مواصلات مری روانہ، دیگر شہروں سے ضروری مشینری مری پہنچائی جا رہی ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/Me7kqxzr2n

— CM Punjab (Updates) (@CMPunjabPK) January 8, 2022

He said all roads to Murree had been closed and the Punjab government was in close liaison with its counterpart in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The Punjab CM further directed to utilise all resources for the safe evacuation of tourists before the night. Buzdar said rest houses and government offices in Murree as well as its adjoining areas had been opened for tourists trapped in the hill station due to heavy snowfall.
Police has been directed to deploy additional contingent in Murree and the government was in touch with the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to restore electricity in the hill station.
Relief supplies are being provided to the tourists on a priority basis. Vehicles carrying food items and medicines are allowed to enter Murree.

Buzdar also directed the administration to ensure the supply of food items and medicines by all means.
“The government is making serious efforts to complete the rescue operation before the night,” he added.
All the machinery of the Punjab government is being utilised in the rescue operation in Murree. On the directions of the chief minister, control rooms have been set up at the Rawalpindi commissioner's office and PDMA. The C&W secretary has also left for Murree.

The chief minister has expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in Murree. He extended his heartfelt sympathies and condolences with the bereaved families of the deceased. Buzdar said all our sympathies are with the bereaved families and the government equally shares their grief.