ISLAMABAD: The government will “revamp” Murree’s district administration and introduce new laws to facilitate tourists in the country, announced information minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Tuesday, after 22 people lost their lives at the popular hill station.
A large number of snow-tourists got trapped in their cars without adequate food or water during heavy snowfall in Murree last week, leading to several deaths in freezing temperatures.
Critics say the government could have prevented the tragedy if proper arrangements were made to keep a check on the number of tourists entering the mountain resort town.
“The government plans to make changes to the district administration of Murree,” Hussain said during a news conference. “We are also bringing about a new set of laws with an aim to revamp matters related to the district administration.”
He said the prime minister had observed during the federal cabinet meeting that provincial governments and district administrations should be ready for “domestic tourism revolution” that was taking place in Pakistan.
Hussain reiterated the significance of tourism for the economy, saying that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had developed 13 cities for tourism in the country.
“We have a medieval [tourism] system, one dating back to the British era,” he noted. “It is the PTI government that has developed 13 tourist spots across the country for the first time in over seven decades.”
The minister added that despite the tragedy in Murree, thousands of tourists were heading to other northern areas in the country.
“There is still a lot of tourism pressure in Naran, Kaghan and Kalam,” he said. “A lot of people have arrived in these areas. The Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments are keeping a close eye on the situation.”
Hussain said the tragic incident in Murree had made it imperative for Pakistan’s tourism officials to stay vigilant and prevent such incidents in the future.
He also called on relevant authorities to issue specific weather alerts and asked the media to broadcast them.
The minister said the Punjab government had formed an inquiry committee of senior officials to probe the incident to determine whether it was “preventable or not.”
“The inquiry committee will present its report within seven days,” he added.
He also commended the armed forces, Pakistan’s civil agencies and all relevant institutions for rescuing thousands of tourists stranded in Murree and clearing the blocked arteries of the resort within 24 hours.
Pakistan to ‘revamp’ Murree district administration, introduce new laws after 22 deaths at resort
https://arab.news/bcrfz
Pakistan to ‘revamp’ Murree district administration, introduce new laws after 22 deaths at resort
- The country’s information minister says Pakistan has a ‘medieval’ tourism system that dates back to the British era
- The prime minister has asked provincial and district administrations to prepare themselves for ‘domestic tourism revolution’
Government says Imran Khan’s ‘detailed’ medical report shared, family disputes claim
- Khan underwent an eye procedure last month, PTI says family was not informed
- Ex-PM’s sister says only brief notes provided despite Supreme Court assurance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government said on Friday a “detailed” medical report of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan had been shared with his family following directions from the prime minister’s office, even as Khan’s relatives disputed the claim and accused jail authorities of withholding information.
Concerns over Khan’s health were raised by his family and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party last month after the government confirmed he was taken from prison to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a brief eye procedure. Authorities said at the time that Khan’s condition was stable and the treatment routine, while PTI leaders said they were not informed in advance and questioned the lack of transparent medical disclosure.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the report was prepared by PIMS and had been forwarded to the prison authorities and handed over to Khan’s family.
“A letter was written by the Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister and PTI Leaders also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding medical check up of Mr. Imran Ahmad [Khan] Niazi who is serving his sentences in Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala),” he said in a social media post on X.
“On directions from Prime Minister’s Office, a detailed report has been sent by Executive Director PIMS Hospital to the Superintendent of Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala) which has been handed over to the family,” he added.
https://x.com/TararAttaullah/status/2019749131049381901?s=20
However, the former prime minister’s sister Aleema Khan said they had not received complete medical reports, despite assurances given by the country’s top judge.
“The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court committed last Friday that Imran Khan’s medical reports would be provided to his family,” she said on X. “Today, when the jail superintendent appeared before the ATC [Anti-Terrorism Court], only two brief notes were submitted.”
https://x.com/Aleema_KhanPK/status/2019738410873741643?s=20
She said the government’s conduct reflected a disregard for the court’s order, urging the Chief Justice of Pakistan to issue a contempt notice to the jail authorities and ensure that Khan’s medical reports were handed over to his family without further delay.
The dispute has renewed tensions surrounding Khan’s incarceration, which has become a flashpoint in Pakistan’s deeply polarized politics.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been in prison since August 2023 following multiple convictions that he and his party say are politically motivated, a charge the government denies.
