Murree turned into death valley
WHAT to say, what not to say, why not to say and how to say is the dilemma I am facing at this point in time when I took a fountain pen to pen on what had happened in Murree just a couple of days before.
Truthfully speaking, what perplexes me is that most of those who reported the tragedy have totally blamed the present government and very much regretfully a few self-proclaimed Plato or Aristotle, whichever they like the best, even asked Imran Khan to resign from PM Office simply because of Murree tragedy.
Undoubtedly, it is very much heart-breaking, not just mind boggling, to know that as many as 23 innocent lives have been lost in the debacle of Murree and again none but the government is being accused and blamed for such unprecedented havoc and tragedy but at the same, I dare to say, the hard, undeniable and irrefutable truth that the visitors to Murree cannot be absolved of their responsibilities whatsoever.
The Met Office had already warned in advance both the concerned parties namely the government as well as the visitors as to what would be weather conditions in the coming days in Murree which, as such, warranted that on one hand the relevant government machinery at local, district and divisional levels must take cognizance of the situation and ensure that all the remedial services duly punctuated with necessary machineries and equipment will be handy to deal with any eventuality if happens and on the other hand, visitors must also be well aware to face the odds which, therefore, itself proves that neither the government nor the public can say that they have been caught unaware of the gloomy, grave and life-and death situation.
The whole scenario is being discussed in the subsequent paragraphs as to what the enthusiastic visitors filled with thrill and excitement were supposed to do and what the local residents of Murree and public servants had to do in the given abnormal, atypical, bizarre and extraordinary odd situation.
To my understanding all those who went to Murree on a pleasure venture were quite sane, if not university graduates, and therefore quite naturally they must know or realize as to what is required of them when embarking upon snow clad enjoyment but if they are not well prepared then the trip could be not only become tiring, awesome, hazardous and even life threatening to be honest and this is what exactly has happened I believe.
My goodness! It is reported that knowing the fact that Murree is struck with such like untold tragedy and police has stopped all cars miles away from Murree and not allowing anyone to drive on, some of the visitors had hot even argued and exchanged hot words with the police and even wished to leave behind their cars and walk on foot to Murree but the police did not allow them to move ahead come what may.
Why they wanted to go there while those unfortunate trapped there are desperate to leave the valley of death?
All the relevant government departments must have played their respective part to meet the eventuality but very much regretfully it is reported that hardly anyone was on hand when it started snowing and whosoever jumped in, it was too late, and the poor visitors were left at the mercy of the weather which was too biting, freezing and death-like in any case.
Why and how metrological forecast of heavy snowing has been ignored by the officials is the most beguiling, baffling, intriguing and tantalizing question which must be answered and not ignored? The departments like police, traffic police, public works, road maintenance, transport should have been found working to control the traffic, stop any looting, removing the snow, clearing the roads and transporting the stranded visitors to safe places but alas it was too late as many had died sitting in their cars.
Many who left behind their cars and went walking to the downtown but unluckily they could not afford to pay exorbitant amount to spend one night as the hoteliers were asking whooping price of Rs50,000/ per night so they spent the night in open. Others who could pay Rs50,000/ per night but there were no rooms available.
What mechanism is operative to know how many cars entered Murree on a given date? How did authorities and the press report that 100,000+ cars had entered Murree? Had sky split apart if the cars’ numbered were inflated to 1,000,000 instead or for that matter lowered to 10,000? Did any official bother to figure out as to how many hotels and guest houses are there how many rooms they have and what are their room charges? Did police place notices on the approaching road saying that tires must be chained from this point if it is snowing? Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had flown over Murree to see with his own naked eyes as to what calamity had stricken which is not a bad idea but I very much convincingly and confidently bet on my life that public had lifted him high on their shoulders if CM had attended any funeral of the one who died in Murree or, for that matter, CM had visited Murree’s victims’ houses to offer his condolences instead of flying over Murree.
CM Usman Buzdar on one hand has announced monetary compensation for each person who had died in Murree and on the other hand, he has asked for a detailed report as who absented or slacked so that punitive action be taken against all those who are found guilty.
I offer my deepest and most heartfelt condolences for the noble and innocent departed souls to rest in eternal peace and I also pray that the aggrieved families have the strength to bear the loss and go through such difficult time, aameen.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Kuwait.
