Zubair Qureshi
The Punjab government has taken special measures to facilitate and protect tourists visiting the popular tourist resort during the Eidul Fitr holidays.
In this regard, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Ashfaq Ahmad Khan and City Police Officer (CPO) Omar Saeed Malik inaugurated 150-member Murree Tourism Police whose sole task will be to facilitate tourists and help them out of any crisis-like situation. The measures are taken on the recommendations of a committee in the wake of tragedy that killed 22 persons on the roads earlier this year during the non-stop snowfall.
According to a handout, two new Police Stations were also set up (Pahguari and Patriata) with fully-trained professional staff while two new offices of Additional Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent Police (SP) have also been set up.
The measures were taken to meet any emergent situation in the wake of possible tourists’ influx to the hill station on Eid Day (tomorrow) and the ensuing holidays.
Moreover, a special tourist van, three specially prepared vehicles, 25 motorcycles and a horse riding squad will also be part of the tourism police.
Police officials said the tourism police was launched after the Murree tragedy of January 8, 2022. The police will initially be deployed at places in Murree where there is an unusual rush of tourists and snowfall creates difficulties for them.
In the next phase, the police would be stationed at tourist spots in Kotli Sattian.
“Following the success of the pilot project, tourism police will also be launched in other tourist destinations of Punjab such as Katas Raj, Nankana and Fort Monroe,” said RPO Khan while addressing the function.
He said the basic aim of the tourism police was to facilitate tourists and protect them.
Speaking on the occasion, CPO Malik said the tourism police had been launched for the convenience of tourists.
He said safety and convenience of tourists was top priority of the Rawalpindi police and the tourism police would perform duties round the clock.
In case of an emergency, the tourism police could be approached through its helpline of 1757, he said.
“A campaign will also be launched for awareness and guidance of tourists. Implementation of the SOPs will be ensured in all cases to ensure smooth flow of traffic during holidays,” he said.
Police officers, local administration officers, bar officials, civil society and media persons attended the inauguration of the tourism police.
SP Kohsar Haider Ali and SHOs of Murree, Patriata and Pahguari were awarded certificates of appreciation for their outstanding performance in setting up the tourist force.
In the wake of the Murree tragedy earlier this year (January 8-9), when 22 people died in vehicles trapped in snow, an investigation committee recommended formation of the tourism force to protect and facilitate the tourists.
It recommended that a joint management committee under the co-convener of the deputy commissioner and station commander, Pakistan Army, may be set up for Murree to implement upgradation and master plan. Safe city infrastructure may also be established in Murree.
However, the former government failed to implement the recommendations about the Safe City infrastructure in Murree.
