ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s most visited hill station Murree has been placed under strict Section 144 restrictions, DC Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi announced. The enforcement will be in effect from December 31 to January 1, and comes with stringent measures targeting public safety and law and order.
Under the notification, the display of weapons and aerial firing has been completely banned. Only families will be permitted to access Murree’s Mall Road and GPO Chowk during the New Year’s night celebrations, while individuals arriving without families will be restricted to surrounding areas.
Authorities issued stern warning that anyone involved in aerial firing or any form of hooliganism will face immediate legal action. The move is aimed at preventing accidents and ensuring that celebrations proceed in a safe and orderly manner.
Murree Travel Update
Tourists and locals are advised to adhere strictly to these rules, as authorities plan to enforce them rigorously. With Murree’s busiest areas transforming into family-only zones, this New Year promises to be one of heightened security and unprecedented caution in the popular hill station’s history.
Stay tuned as Murree counts down to the New Year under tight restrictions, vigilant policing, and a zero-tolerance approach to lawlessness.
NDMA warned tourists and residents to avoid high-altitude and vulnerable areas due to forecasts of heavy snowfall, landslides, and avalanches from December 30 to January 2, 2026. A westerly weather system will affect western regions from the night of December 29, intensify on December 30, and impact most upper and central areas by December 31, persisting in northern regions until January 2.
High-risk areas include Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli, where snowfall may cause road closures and slippery conditions. Landslides and avalanches are also likely in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Authorities urged authorities and disaster management agencies to remain alert, ensure emergency preparedness, and disseminate timely warnings, while advising the public to follow safety instructions and avoid unnecessary travel.
Snowfall Alert: Peak Winter travel faces threats from Snow, Landslides, and Avalanches
