Kohsar Development Authority on the back burner

The caretaker regime has postponed the establishment of the ‘Kohsar Development Authority’ for the newly formed tourist district of Murree till the formation of an elected government.

Due to the severe financial crisis, the government has frozen the funds for the new Dhar Java Dam besides refusing to release more funds for the 123km under-construction tourism expressway, sparking fears that the construction work will be stopped this month.

On the other hand, the funding for government offices for the newly formed Murree district has also been cut due to which all the development schemes of the tourist district will be practically stopped in the current month and its status will also remain in limbo.

It has also been decided not to change the administration of the new district while the establishment of more new district offices has also been suspended till the formation of the new government.

For the development of Murree’s two tehsils including Murree and Kotli Sattian, having fulfilled all the requirements, the file was sent to the competent authority for the immediate formation of the Kohsar Development Authority and the Parks and Horticulture Authority for issuance of the notification.

However, due to the worst financial crisis in Punjab, the establishment of all new authorities has been stopped and all ongoing major projects have also been postponed.

In January 2022, former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar 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, February 6^th, 2023.