Man arrested for ‘extorting’ stranded tourists during Murree tragedy

The Rawalpindi police have arrested a man and seized his vehicle for allegedly creating artificial obstructions in Murree using snow so he could extort money from tourists stranded at the scenic spot.

The man, identified as Saqib Abbasi, would use a shovel to accumulate piles of snow on Bhurban Road during the recent Murree tragedy.

He would then ask for hefty money from those stuck on the road for his 'services' to pave the way for them.

The jeep used by the accused Saqib Abbasi has also been seized by the police. If a tourist's car got stuck, he would charge a hefty fee to get the vehicle out of the snow.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

When the complaints of tourists came to light, City Police Officer (CPO) Sajid Kayani ordered his arrest, saying other accomplices and facilitators of the accused will also be apprehended.

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

According to the official, those who take advantage of the tourists seeking help will not escape the grip of the law.

Entry ban extended

Meanwhile, the National Highways and Motorways Police (NH&MP) has extended the ban on entry into Murree for another six days, saying it could be extended in view of the forecast of the meteorological department, which has earlier predicted heavy snowfall at the scenic spot.

On Saturday, the nation was left stunned when the news of 22 deaths owing to a deadly blizzard in Murree hit the mainstream and social media.

The deaths of the tourists, including women and children who had flocked to the scenic spot to witness the snowfall, were nothing short of the tragedy.

The visitors 'froze to death' in their vehicles, amidst tonnes of snow in the surroundings as a snowstorm gripped the valley.