RAWALPINDI: Keeping in mind the importance of Murree for Eid tourism, the traffic police have chalked out a comprehensive traffic plan for the Eid holidays with the deployment of more than 200 additional traffic police officials to facilitate tourists.
The police have also set up a control room at the Sunny Bank location, whose contact number is 0519269200. Murree Chief Traffic Officer Mughees Ahmed Hashmi said “millions of tourists” from all over the country visit Murree during Eid; therefore, additional personnel have been deployed in the city in light of the orders of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab IG, and the Additional IG Traffic.
As part of the traffic plan, more than 200 traffic officers will perform their duties during the holidays, and guidance will be provided to tourists through barriers, banners, and pamphlets at all the entrance routes to Murree.
The CTO said that during the holidays, all traffic from Rawalpindi and Islamabad can reach Murree via the Expressway and GT Road.
Five roads (Viewforth Road, Bank Road, Hall Road, Kuldana Road, Ridge Bell Road) have been made one-way in the Murree district. Mall Road will remain closed for all types of traffic as five sectors of Murree have been created for better traffic flow, a spokesman for the city traffic police said.
According to CTO Hashmi, there will be a complete ban on all types of parking in front of GPO Chowk or its surroundings as it has been declared a parking-free zone. The biggest problem in the ‘Murree Circle’ is parking, so tourists are requested to park their vehicles only in the allocated space. He further said that water tankers and food supply vehicles (barring trucks and heavy vehicles) will be allowed to supply water and food in the city area from 1am to 7am.
The CTO requested tourists coming to Murree to visit the social media page @ctpmurree for weather updates and traffic advisories before starting their journey to Murree and to try to bring a mechanically sound vehicle.
Jumatul Wida preparations
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi City Traffic Police have completed traffic arrangements for Jumatul Wida (last Friday of Ramazan) with the deployment of more than 90 traffic police officers and wardens to facilitate traffic.
On the occasion of Jumatul Wida, people of all schools of thought and faith take special care and conduct prayers with religious fervour. In this regard, traffic duties have been deployed keeping in mind the security and traffic flow, a spokesman for the city traffic police said. In case of any procession after Friday prayers, traffic will be immediately diverted to alternative routes.
Due to the large number of worshippers, traffic will be diverted to alternative routes during Friday prayers on the road so that the flow of traffic is not affected.
As per routine, the police claimed that legal action would be taken against vehicles and motorcycles with fake number plates and special attention would be paid to vehicles with tinted windows.
Ambulances, fire brigades, and other government vehicles will also be specially checked so that no terrorist can carry out any action under the cover of a government vehicle, the spokesman said. The circle in-charges will maintain their positions at places where there is a large gathering of worshippers and make proper arrangements for parking.
Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025
