LHC reserves verdict in Murree tragedy case

The Lahore High Court (LHC)’s Rawalpindi bench on Saturday reserved its verdict in the Murree tragedy case.

Justice Abdul Aziz heard the case.

The court lashed out at the Murree Development Authority (MDA) for negligence, questioning the role of agencies when the roads of the hill station were blocked and thousands of people were stranded.

During the hearing, the lawyer said that according to the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), a sum of Rs1.5 billion was acquired for the construction of a parking plaza in Murree.

In response, Justice Aziz criticised concerned authorities, questioning where the funds went.

He also lambasted the department of forestation for the ongoing deforestation within the region.

The court had earlier directed the Murree municipal corporation chief officer and the chief officer district council to submit an affidavit, stating that no construction was taking place in Murree after they filed a report in the court.

The court had directed the divisional forest officer to submit an affidavit stating that there was no deforestation in Murree forests while the wildlife department was ordered to file a similar affidavit.

At least 23 people lost their lives due to a strong blizzard that swept through the hill resort on January 9, 2022.

The initial investigation report, which was made public, had pointed to the failure of relevant government departments in taking pre-emptive measures in the wake of the warnings issued by the Met Office. The probe had also uncovered that measures were not taken to regulate the influx of tourists.