The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced free on-net calls for those stranded in Murree.
The PTA in a statement, said: “In view of [the] emergency situation in Murree and Galliat areas, mobile phone users, currently present in these areas with no balance, have immediately been provided with free on-net calling facility.” All mobile phone operators in Pakistan will provide the facility to stranded users who have run out of balance, he added.
The PTA also assured users to be supplied with “uninterrupted services” to deal with the emergency. “Moreover, PTA has also directed all telecom operators to ensure uninterrupted services to users and keep enough backup arrangements in case of power outages.”
Over 20 people died after being trapped in their cars due to heavy snowfall as they rushed to the hilltop town of Murree on Saturday.
Thousands of vehicles had arrived in the town to enjoy the snowfall, however, merriment soon gave way to tragedy.
The Punjab government has declared Murree a calamity-hit area and chief minister Usman Buzdar has ordered local administration to open the government’s offices and rest houses to the stranded tourists.
