RAWALPINDI, Jan 09 (APP): Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar on Sunday chaired a high level meeting in Gharial, Murree and announced that strict action would be taken against those responsible for negligence in Murree tragic incident.
The CM was given a detailed briefing on rescue and relief operation. Commissioner, Rawalpindi Division, City Police Officer, Rawalpindi, Deputy Commissioner, Rawalpindi and CTO Rawalpindi gave a detailed briefing to the CM on various aspects of the tragic incident. Usman Buzdar spent over three hours in Murree.
A report was presented to the Chief Minister on the tragic incident. The CM was also briefed about the traffic management plan. Usman Buzdar expressed his annoyance over the overcrowding in Murree.
Usman Buzdar while reviewing relief and rescue activities announced a high level inquiry into the tragic incident and said that the committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Punjab would submit a report on the tragic incident in seven days.
The CM said that an indiscriminate action would also be taken against those responsible for negligence in the light of the report of the inquiry committee.
Usman Buzdar announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased. Rs 17.6 million would be given to the families of the deceased. The financial assistance is not a substitute for human life, the CM said.
The CM expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families, adding that everyone is sad over the tragedy and the Punjab government equally shares the sorrow of the grieved families.
A decision had been taken in principle to make Murree a district, the CM said adding, Chief Secretary, Punjab and Senior Member Board of Revenue had been directed to submit suggestions in this regard.
The government had decided to post senior officers to prevent such incidents in Murree in future, the CM said adding, Superintendent of Police and Additional Deputy Commissioner officer to be posted in Murree.
Approval had also been given for setting up two new police stations in Murree, he said.
Two parking plazas would be constructed at Sunny Bank and Jhika Gali to control traffic congestion in Murree and the tourists from these parking plazas would be brought to Mall Road through shuttle service, he said.
The entry of vehicles and tourists in Murree would be controlled from now, he added.
The vehicles and tourists exceeding the specified limit would not be allowed to enter Murree.
Approval had also been given to construct link roads of Murree. The construction of these connecting roads would facilitate the tourists, he added.
Usman Buzdar said that there would be indiscriminate action against illegal constructions in Murree.
Short term and long term planning would be done to prevent such tragic incidents in future and Standard Operating Procedures would be reviewed. Rescue-1122 crew would be given trail bikes and wireless sets.
Usman Buzdar also directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against hotels involved in overcharging as charge too much in hotel rent in Murree is absolutely not tolerable.
Provincial Law Minister, Raja Basharat, MNA Sadaqat Abbasi, MPA Latasib Satti, Punjab Government Spokesman Hassan Khawar, Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Construction and Communications, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, RPO Rawalpindi , CPO Rawalpindi, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi and other officers were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Chief Minister Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar also conducted an aerial inspection of the areas of Murree, affected due to heavy snowfall.
The CM reviewed the relief activities being carried out in the affected areas.
The Relief Commissioner/Senior Member Board of Revenue during the visit gave a briefing to the CM about relief activities. Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, Special Assistant to CM Punjab on Information Hassan Khawar, Chief Secretary, IG Police and other officers concerned were also present.
