Special Assistant to CM for Information and Tourism Hasaan Khawar on Monday chaired an emergency meeting held on directives of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, to improve administrative measures at tourist destinations in the province.
Various factors behind the Murree tragedy were discussed and a future action plan was chalked out during the meeting.
On the occasion, a three-member committee comprising Additional Secretary Tourism Sadaf Zafar, GM Operations Asim Raza and Project Manager Waqas Malik was also formed in the wake of the Murree tragedy on the direction of the Chief Minister Punjab vide an official notification.
According to the notification, the committee will present its recommendations for redressal of incidents like Murree tragedy in next 48 hours, while also giving suggestions regarding controlling the pressure of tourists. The committee will review the mechanism of hotel registration, rents and other related matters and prepare its recommendations. A comprehensive report will also be prepared on the law on prevention of overcharging by hotels and the status of its effective implementation.
SACM on Tourism Hasaan Khawar also sought a report from the committee on suggestions and implementation of traffic planning during peak season in Murree. He directed the committee to devise SOPs for working out a mechanism to issue timely and effective travel advisory for tourists keeping in view the travel warnings forwarded by Meteorological department. The SACM directed the said committee to create an effective system to curb the exploitation of tourists through overcharging.
Hasaan Khawar also sought reports from the Tourism department on all past studies regarding Murree’s destination management and their implementation. The meeting also discussed the progress of establishment of the Tourism Police Force and Tourism Authority.
