15 officials suspended after committee submitted inquiry report on Murree tragedy

LAHORE: Following a brief delay in the submission of the inquiry report by the five-member probe committee on the Murree tragedy, 15 officials have been suspended for not performing their duties which led to the disaster. 

The members of the probe committee had submitted their findings to Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, the chief minister revealed the details of the findings of the report and said that 15 officials, including Rawalpindi's deputy commissioner, have been suspended and disciplinary action has been ordered against them.

Buzdar also mentioned that while an investigation into the matter is still underway disciplinary action has been ordered against these 15 officers over the Murree tragedy as “concerned authorities were unable to perform their duties.”

“The government has fulfilled its promise of a transparent inquiry into the Murree tragedy,” Buzdar said, adding the inquiry report has highlighted shortcomings of the authorities.

It is pertinent to mention here that a five-member inquiry committee, set up in connection with the Murree tragedy, prepared a report which was presented to the Punjab CM.

Based on the recommendations of the report, the Murree assistant commissioner has also been suspended along with Murree's assistant superintendent of police (ASP).

Buzdar further said that the Rawalpindi chief traffic officer (CTO), Traffic deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Murree divisional forest officer, Murree district emergency officer, Murree Rescue 1122 in charge and Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) director have also been suspended and disciplinary action has been ordered against them, he added.

What happened?

On January 8, 23 people had died due to carbon monoxide poisoning while being stuck in their cars as thousands of tourist vehicles ended up being stranded in Murree due to heavy snowfall.

It should be recalled that following the tragic incident, the Punjab government had declared Murree as a calamity-hit area after heavy snowfall wreaked havoc on the city.

According to the local administration of Murree, rain and blizzards were forecast around Murree, with thunderstorms at a speed of 50-90 kmph along with heavy snowfall.

Furthermore, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had also reprimanded on Thursday the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and said it was responsible for the Murree tragedy.