Following the deaths of at least 22 tourists owing to heavy snow storm, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Saturday declared an emergency in calamity-stricken Murree
The relief commissioner and Board of Revenue had also issued a notification in this regard
The chief minister has directed all agencies concerned to conduct the rescue operation and evacuate stranded tourists on war footing
He also allowed authorities to use Punjab government’s helicopter for rescue and relief operations
The helicopter has arrived in Islamabad and will take part in rescue operation when weather conditions improve, said an official statement
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
com/buEKDYOc8M — Hasaan Khawar (@hasaankhawar) January 8, 2022 The CM highlighted that an emergency had been declared in all departments, including police, administrative offices, Rescue 1122 and hospitals keeping in view the emergency in Murree
The chief secretary, Inspector General of Police, relief commissioner, DG Rescue 1122 and DG PDMA had been directed to carry on relief activities on an emergency basis
Pakistan Army had also been called in to assist the civil administration for relief activities
CM Buzdar said that evacuation of stranded tourists was the top priority of the government
DG Rescue 1122 had been directed to reach Murree to lead the rescue operation
Snow cutters and necessary machinery have been sent to Murree from Rawalpindi and other cities
Also read: Calamity in Murree as at least 22 tourists freeze to death in cars “The lives of tourists are the most important,” the CM was quoted as saying
He said that rescue operations have been further accelerated to evacuate the tourists besides ensuring the provision of food items and other relief items to them
The chief minister also expressed a deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in Murree due to heavy snowfall
Buzdar extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences with the bereaved families of the deceased
Meanwhile, the Punjab CM has also instructed authorities to further accelerated the rescue operation to evacuate the people trapped in the snowfall in Murree and said that all resources should be utilised for transferring the tourists to safer places
He also directed the authorities to send additional machinery and personnel from Rawalpindi and other cities for taking park in the rescue operation
Later, an emergency meeting was also held with CM Buzdar in chair to review the situation that occurred in Murree due to heavy snowfall on Saturday
The meeting reviewed in detail the ongoing rescue operation in the calamity-hit area
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
com/Me7kqxzr2n — CM Punjab (Updates) (@CMPunjabPK) January 8, 2022 He said that all the roads to Murree have been closed and the Punjab government is in close liaison with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government in this regard
Buzdar said that rest houses and government offices in Murree and the adjoining areas have been opened for tourists trapped and police have been directed to deploy additional contingent in the hill station
He said that government is in touch with Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) authorities to restore electricity in Murree
| Date: | 09-Jan-2022 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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