LAHORE: An emergency meeting was held under the chair of Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister of Punjab, to review the situation in Murree due to heavy snowfall at 90-SQA.
The meeting reviewed in detail the ongoing rescue operation in Murree. The Chief Minister of Punjab directed the Chief Secretary, Punjab, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, and Secretary, Communications and Works, Punjab to accelerate the relief activities and rescue operation further to evacuate the tourists stuck in Murree. He said that all the roads to Murree had been closed, and the Government of Punjab was in close liaison with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He further directed to utilise all resources for the safe evacuation of tourists before the night. Usman Buzdar said that rest houses and government offices in Murree and the adjoining areas had been opened for tourists trapped in Murree due to heavy snowfall. He stated that Murree had been declared calamity stricken, and an emergency had been imposed in the area. Police officers were directed to deploy additional contingent in Murree, and the army was also called for relief activities.
He claimed that government is in touch with WAPDA authorities to restore electricity in Murree. Relief supplies are being provided to the tourists on a priority basis. Vehicles carrying food items and medicines were allowed to enter Murree.
The Chief Minister of Punjab also directed the administration to ensure the supply of food items and medicines by all means. He ensured that necessary machinery had also been sent to Murree from other cities. He said that he is personally monitoring the situation, and the government is making serious efforts to complete the rescue operation before night. All the machinery of the Punjab government is being utilised in rescue operations in Murree.
On the directions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, control rooms had been set up in Commissioner’s Office, Rawalpindi, and Provincial Disaster Management Authority. Moreover, Secretary Communications and Works, Punjab had been left for Murree.
Hasaan Khawar, spokesperson of Government of Punjab, Chief Secretary, Punjab, Inspector General Police, Punjab, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Punjab and concerned officers participated in the meeting.