Islamabad: Murree attracted large crowds of people from all over the country, especially Islamabad, Rawalpindi and adjoining areas, on Monday, a public holiday on account of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's birth anniversary.
However, holidaymakers complained about traffic jams and high hotel rents. The people had begun coming to the Malika-i-Kohsar (queen of mountains) as Murree is popularly known, on Friday night ahead of three days break from work but the weekend saw a huge influx of tourists.
In Murree, Pindi Point, Kashmir Point, the Mall and Ayubia were the main attractions for visitors, while some went to the adjoining areas like Galyat, Bhurban, Ayubia and Nathiagali. Many youths used motorcycles to reach Murree, which is an hour’s drive from the federal capital. Mushtaq Ahmad of Islamabad said he had taken family to Murree to enjoy pleasantly cold weather after snowfall.
Some visitors said traffic congestion and high rent of hotel rooms left a bad taste in their mouth. They said hotels, especially those located on the Mall, overcharged them but no one from the administration stopped them. Tourists also regretted severe traffic jams and said the long queues of vehicles on major roads stressed them out. They blamed their misery on the unavailability of parking spaces and wrong parking of some vehicles.
Reports indicate that they tried to breach one of gates, harassed staff, and even scaled walls of premises
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A fierce exchange of fire ensued, but culprits managed to escape under cover of darkness
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