The ‘Queen of the Mountains’ Murree, which is the most famous hill station in Punjab, attracted a large number of tourists during Eid ul Azha holidays, particularly as the citizens reached Murree from different areas to enjoy the pleasant weather.
On the first day of Eid, people remained busy greeting relatives, friends, and near and dear ones and rushed to different parks, Murree, Ayubia, Nathigali, and Patriata Chair Lift, on the second and third days of Eid, to enjoy the Eid festivity.
Murree Road, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday, remained jam-packed with a stream of vehicles after tourists, especially from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and other adjoining areas, thronged the Murree, Ayubia, and Nathia Gali hill stations to beat the heat and enjoy Eid vacations. From Dhokri Chowk to Bhara Kahu and Chatter Park, the road was jam-packed with vehicles moving at snails’ pace. Rawalpindi district administration had finalized all the arrangements to ensure the security of the visitors and facilitate them, particularly during Eid ul Azha holidays.
According to a police administration spokesman, City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani had directed the relevant officers to make the best possible efforts to avoid traffic mess on the roads and any untoward incidents during Eid-ul-Azha holidays. The spokesman informed us that special teams had been formed to facilitate the tourists, adding that parking of the vehicles was not allowed outside the parking areas. There was a complete ban on illegal parking in Murree.
“The beautiful climate of Murree during the summer attracts a large number of tourists, so motorists face traffic congestion,” he said, adding that traffic moves slower due to heavy traffic loads as compared to normal days. He said the CPO had advised the tourists to avoid wrong parking, double lines, speeding, and taking selfies in the middle of the roads.
He said a special plan had been formulated for Murree under which over 1000 personnel, including over 700 cops and over 300 CTP officials, were performing their duties to facilitate the visitors. The Jawans of Murree Tourism Police were also present at different points for the convenience and protection of the tourists, he added.
