PM reaches Galiyat amid ban on tourists

Published August 1, 2020
Sources said that the prime minister had planned to move to Nathiagali in a helicopter, but due to inclement weather he went back to Banigala. — AFP/File
Sources said that the prime minister had planned to move to Nathiagali in a helicopter, but due to inclement weather he went back to Banigala. — AFP/File

ABBOTTABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan reached Galiyat the other day as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has imposed a complete ban on the movement of tourists in the area. The local administration has imposed section 144 in all hilly areas of Hazara division during Eid holidays.

Sources said that the prime minister had planned to move to Nathiagali in a helicopter, but due to inclement weather he went back to Banigala and moved to the picturesque Governor’s House in Nathiagali with his family by road on Thursday.

The Galiyat Development Authority and the district administration had vacated the entire Galiyat area from tourists and even those staying in private rest houses were sent back two days ago. At least 25 hotels and restaurants with rest houses have also been sealed.

DIG Hazara has ordered a special deployment of police in all hilly areas from Galiyat to Naran and Kaghan. The police have established at least 24 checkposts in Galiyat, Mansehra, Kaghan and Naran to stop tourists.

PEACE DURING EID: The Hazara police have devised a plan to maintain peace in Hazara division during Eidul Azha and to implement the government’s SOPs to prevent spread of coronavirus.

DIG Hazara Qazi Jameelur Rehman has directed all the district police officers across Hazara to take steps for the security of all the districts of Hazara. Also, the traffic police were asked to devise a plan for ensuring smooth flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, the Water and Sanitation Services Company, Abbottabad, established at least 40 points in four union councils to collect offal and waste of sacrificial animals during Eidul Azha days besides continuing its normal operations of lifting garbage from the city.

This was stated by WSSC chief executive officer Engineer Noor Qasim Khan while addressing a meeting of local ulema and notables at the city’s control room here, said a statement here.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.