LAHORE:Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, in wake of the present situation in Murree occurred due to heavy snowfall, Saturday declared a state of emergency in Murree and the area has been declared calamity stricken. The Relief Commissioner/Senior Member BOR has issued a notification in this regard.
The Chief Minister has also been allowed to use his helicopter for rescue activities and the helicopter has been sent from Lahore. Helicopters will take part in relief operations as the weather improves. Usman Buzdar has said that an emergency has been declared in all the departments including police, administrative offices, rescue 1122 and hospitals keeping in view the emergency in Murree.
Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Relief Commissioner, DG Rescue 1122 and DG PDMA have been directed to carry on relief activities on an emergent basis. Army has also been called in to assist the civil administration for relief activities. Usman Buzdar said that evacuation of stuck tourists is the first priority of the government. DG Rescue 1122 has been directed to reach Murree to lead the rescue operation. Snow cutters and necessary machinery have been sent to Murree from Rawalpindi and other cities. The lives of tourists are the most important, said Usman Buzdar. He said that rescue operations have been further accelerated to evacuate the tourists besides ensuring the provision of food items and other relief items to them.
The Chief Minister has expressed a deep sense of sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives in Murree due to heavy snowfall. The Chief Minister extended heartfelt sympathies and condolences with the bereaved families of the deceased. Usman Buzdar said that all our sympathies are with the bereaved families and the government equally shares their grief.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has directed to further accelerated the rescue operation to evacuate the people trapped in the snowfall in Murree and said that all resources should be utilized for transferring the tourists to safer places. He also directed to send additional machinery and personnel from Rawalpindi and other cities for taking park in the rescue operation.