RAWALPINDI: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday sought a comprehensive development plan for Murree, besides ordering removal of encroachments in and around the hill station.

Accompanied by PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab chief minister was visiting Murree.

She also directed the administration to ban use of plastic at the hill station and other tourist spots to ensure cleanliness and environmental preservation.

She in principle approved water supply scheme from river Jhelum to Murree, besides seeking a plan for the maintenance and filtration of existing water scheme.

In a meeting with the Murree administration, she reviewed the problems and development requirements of Murree. She also inspected a proposed site for the construction of an state-of-the-art hospital in Murree.

Use of plastic bags at hill station banned

A ban on the entry of vehicles into Murree was considered in the meeting. The chief minister directed to start cable car and modern tram service to avoid overcrowding of vehicles in Murree.

A proposal to issue permit cards to the vehicles entering Murree was also discussed in the meeting.

The meeting also discussed allocation of parking space in every building.

She directed to identify and immediately demolish illegal buildings in Murree. Final plan for clearing encroachments in Murree was also approved in the meeting. It was decided to make bus stand functional.

Maryam Nawaz directed the administration to develop New Murree, Kotli Sattian and other adjoining areas into alternative tourist destinations.

She ordered construction of motorway-like clean toilets in Murree. The chief minister also approved establishment of separate solid waste management department and parks and horticulture authority for Murree.

She directed to widen Murree roads and make them one-way. She said,”the streets of Murree will be cleared of potholes.”

The extension of Jhika Gali Chowk was also reviewed in the meeting.

“Murree has become a concrete jungle. Construction standards have not been taken into consideration,” said PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.

He added,”Construction of hotels and buildings on landsliding points can be very dangerous.” Mr. Sharif said.”In the past, the goal was to make money, destroying the ancient beauty of historical buildings.Tourist sites present a dismal picture of mismanagement,” he added.

”I congratulate Shehbaz Sharif for removing illegal buildings in Murree.,” he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said,”Bad structures are distorting the natural beauty of Murree.” She added,”The protection of people’s life is the foremost duty of the government.” MPA Bilal Sati, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Commissioner Aamir Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Shirazi, RPO and other officials attended the meeting.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and MNA Osama Ashfaq Sarwar joined the meeting via video link.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2024