After the preliminary report was submitted to the Punjab chief minister that pointed a finger at dilapidated roads in Murree that caused the tragedy, the Punjab government on Sunday constituted a high-level committee to inquire into and determine the causes and lapses that led to the deaths of stranded tourists in Murree on January 8.
The initial probe disclosed that vehicular entry was banned after the deputy commissioner intervened and there was no machinery working to remove snow from roads. It was also pointed out that there were not enough parking places in Murree.
On this, the Punjab chief secretary constituted a committee to probe and submit a detailed report. Led by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Zafar Nasarullah and comprising two secretaries – Ali Sarfraz and Asad Gillani – and AIG Farooq Mazhar, the committee would complete its report and determine responsibility within seven days.
As per the notification, the terms of reference (TORs) have also been described. The committee shall inter alia look into whether the authorities concerned, district administration, police, traffic police, C&W Department, National Highway Authority (NHA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), etc., made any joint plan of action to prevent a crisis situation despite the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) weather warnings for Murree.
Secondly, it would check whether any travel advisories were issued through electronic, print, or social media to warn people against travelling towards Murree. It would also check whether any measures were taken to regulate the influx of vehicles/tourists into Murree, especially in view of the unprecedented number of visitors there in the preceding days.
The committee would also probe if any count of vehicles entering Murree was kept, and why the entry of tourists was not stopped at the entry points in Islamabad and Galyat when the numbers surpassed. It has been also tasked with checking whether any contingency plan was prepared to deal with a crisis situation if it occurred, like the placement of snow removing machinery, vehicle lifters and snowmobiles at strategic points.
Moreover, the committee would also analyse whether any prior coordination was made with local hotels and guest houses for the provision of emergency accommodation for stranded visitors. It will check the efficacy of rescue operations, particularly during the blizzard, and why the people were not asked to move out of vehicles and provided accommodation.
On the other hand, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib told a private news channel that another 50,000 vehicles were on their way to Murree to enjoy snowfall last weekend, but the administration timely stopped all the vehicles to protect public from inconvenience.
In reply to a question about facilities for tourists, he said that the incumbent government was taking all possible steps to facilitate the domestic and foreign tourists.
