Murree tragedy: Operation launched against encroachments, illegal shopping malls

MURREE: In line with the recommendations of the probe committee formed to investigate the causes and lapses that led to the death of 22 tourists during the snowstorm in Murree, the municipal administration has launched a grand anti-encroachment operation at the hill station.

The operation is being carried out against the illegal construction creating obstacles to the flow of traffic, illegal shopping malls, and hotels where parking spaces have not been provided.

Currently, the anti-encroachment officials were razing and sealing illegal constrictions on Bhurban Road and Bansra Gali of the hill station. 

Deadline ends today: Probe committee seeks more time to complete investigation

The five-member committee formed by the Punjab government to probe the Murree tragedy has missed the deadline of Monday, January 17, to submit its findings of the incident, said sources.

Sources privy to the matter said that the committee has sought five more days to complete its probe as the deadline for submission of the report expired today.

“The officials of the concerned district and Punjab secretariat are not taking the issue seriously,” the sources said quoting the members of the probe committee.

The incomplete report could not be submitted to the government as the authorities have yet to submit their written statements.

Only a few officials from KP and Punjab have recorded their statements, the sources added.

Probe committee recommends sealing of illegal hotels

A day earlier, the five-member committee had recommended sealing all illegal hotels, plazas, and construction sites at the hill station, according to well-placed sources.

Sources privacy to the matter said that the committee has also recommended sealing of all those hotels, shopping malls, and apartments where parking spaces have not been provided, Daily Jang had reported. 

'Murree tragedy due to administrative negligence'

On Sunday, the sources had said that the probe committee had completed its investigation and had revealed that the incident occurred due to administrative negligence.

According to Geo News sources, after completing its investigation — which was based on interviews of victims and administrative officials — the probe committee had departed from the hill station to Lahore.

The inquiry committee was preparing a draft of the probe's findings, which will be presented to the Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar within two or three days, sources had said.

The probe had revealed that on the day of the incident, several snowploughs were parked at the same place which led to road blockages, the administrative staff was absent from duty, while a blizzard warning from the metrological department was blatantly neglected, according to sources.