Boundaries of Murree district drawn
The revenue department of the new tourist district, Murree, has developed its formal organisational structure. The boundaries of the new district have also been determined.
According to the revenue department, the total area of the new district will cover 724 hectares kilometres, while the total population will consist of 1.25 million people. The total number of voters in the new district will be 662,068, of which the number of male voters is 342,049, while the number of female voters is 320,019. The new district will consist of two tehsils, Murree and Kotli Sattian. There will be separate MPA seats for both tehsils.
Tehsil Murree covers an area of 381 hectares kilometres while Kotli Sattian tehsil is spread over an area of 343 hectares kilometres. The new district will include four police stations and four new check posts.
The process of appointment of district officers for the new district will be completed in the current month while a full-time permanent Deputy Commissioner Murree will be appointed before the beginning of the next month.
The Murree Municipal Committee has been immediately upgraded and given the status of a Municipal Corporation. Kohsar University is active in Murree, whereas a technical college will be built in Kotli Sattian from the beginning of the next year.
In March, the Pink Peer Tourist Centre consisting of steep black mountains will be inaugurated in Kotli Sattian. A colourful cultural fair will be organised on the occasion.
At least 31 new departments will be established in Murree, which was recently upgraded to the status of a new district, comprising Kotli Sattian and Murree tehsils. The new district will have a staff of at least 3,600 people who will be posted in 31 departments.
To enhance the tourism industry in the region, comprehensive planning and implementation will be ensured to make various services public and tourist-friendly.
In January 2022, former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had issued orders to upgrade the status of Murree after 23 tourists lost their lives in January as a result of freezing weather and carbon monoxide poisoning. Buzdar had also given the go-ahead to the establishment of two police stations as well as two parking plazas.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2022.