Roads were blocked in Chitral and Balochistan due to heavy snowfall in the region, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Sunday, adding that the army and the Frontier Corps (FC) personnel cleared the snow and restored traffic in the snow-laden areas.

The Lowari Tunnel in Chitral and roads from Quetta to Karachi (NHW 25), Quetta to Sukkur (NHW 65) and Taftan to Quetta (NHW 40) opened Saturday night for traffic, ISPR said.

FC Balochistan has established crisis management centres in Quetta, Sibbi, Ziarat, Pishin, Loralai, Kallat and Khuzdar, whereas an army assistance camp have been set up in Panakot, Malakand Division to assist the public in coordination with local administrations, the military's media wing stated.

Severe cold weather with chilly winds has wrapped many parts of the country as it entered 2017, with hilly areas receiving heavy snowfall and others getting heavy rains.

Though an inconvenience for locals, tourists in areas like at Malka-i-Kohsar in Murree were delighted with the weather change even though a massive gridlock was created according to the local traffic wardens.

According to the report aired by a private news channel, the main Mall Road in the hill resort was overcrowded with a noticeable hike in shopping spree.

Demand for piping hot food, especially tea, desserts and sweets, has also risen in the area.

Similarly, severe cold is prevailing in Quetta, Kallat, Peshawar and other hilly areas of the country while the chilly weather continues in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore.