RAWALPINDI – Murree, one of most visited hill stations, is under strict Section 144 enforcement, with heavy police deployment and tight restrictions in place. Families and tourists are allowed, but bachelor groups are banned, along with weapons, fireworks, and disorderly conduct.
A high-security clampdown was ordered as authorities impose strict Section 144 across Mall Road and surrounding areas during Eid al-Adha holidays, citing serious security concerns in the popular hill station.
An official notification confirms that while families and tourists are still permitted to access Mall Road, a sweeping restriction has been placed on entry of bachelor groups, which has been completely banned. The move signals an intensified effort to control crowd behaviour during the festive period.
Authorities have also imposed a blanket ban on hooliganism, public display of weapons, and fireworks, with these restrictions set to remain in force until May 31. The District Police Officer has issued a strong warning that any violation will face strict legal action without exception. To enforce order, over 700 police and security personnel have been deployed at key points across Murree, turning the tourist hotspot into a heavily monitored zone.
In a parallel and highly sensitive escalation, the district administration has launched a major enforcement and land recovery operation under directives from the Punjab government, aimed at reclaiming 20 kanals of land linked to the Mall Road Hillside Acquisition Project, part of the broader Murree Development Plan.
The operation began on Wednesday with the demolition of a residential hotel on Mall Road Hillside, carried out under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Murree, Captain (retd) Arshad Iqbal. The action was backed by a heavy deployment of Punjab Police, paramilitary forces, civil defence personnel, and heavy machinery, marking a forceful on-ground crackdown.
Officials say the development plan encompasses more than 10 major hotels and over 50 commercial shops along Mall Road, with property owners formally ordered to vacate buildings identified for acquisition. The administration has assured that compensation will be provided for land, structures, and business losses, as the drive accelerates.
However, the sweeping operation has sparked deep anxiety and strong backlash from affected stakeholders, who argue that hundreds of families depend on these hotels and shops for survival. Business owners and workers warn that the ongoing demolitions and evictions could trigger mass unemployment and severe economic hardship, threatening the livelihoods of long-serving employees and their households who rely heavily on Murree’s tourism-driven economy.
