‘Shocked’ PM Imran Khan orders inquiry into Murree tragedy

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday said that country’s economy was witnessing strong growth and creating job opportunities despite Covid challenge. In a tweet, the prime minister said that such trend was reflected in the growth of listed businesses by 59 percent, on the basis of year-on-year growth in the first nine months. He also expressed the hope that employers of these growing businesses would share gains with their workforces.

“Profits of listed businesses grew 59% year on year for the first 9 months, despite Covid challenges. This shows our economy is witnessing strong growth & creating jobs. I am hopeful that businesses & employers will share these gains with their workforces,” he posted on his twitter handle. According to a newspaper report, Pakistan’s stock market was performing well as aggregate profits after tax of companies falling in Karachi Stock Exchange 100 Index for quarter three of the current year 2021, stood at Rs258 billion, highest in last 10 years

Prime Minister Khan expressing his shock and grief at the tragic deaths of tourists in Murree, ordered an inquiry and regulations to avert such tragedies in the future. In a tweet, the prime minister observed that heavy snowfall and a huge rush of tourists caught the district administration unprepared. “Shocked & upset at tragic deaths of tourists on road to Murree.

Unprecedented snowfall & rush of ppl (people) proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district admin unprepared. Have ordered inquiry & putting in place strong regulation to ensure prevention of such tragedies,” he posted on his twitter handle. According to reports, over a dozen stranded tourists including women and children froze to death after an overnight blizzard pummeled the hilly resort.

Murree has received 17 inches of snow in the last 24 hours with more rains and snowfall expected tonight that will continue till Sunday, according to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). As per the Met Office, Murree has received 32 inches of snow and 94 mm of rain since January 3. Meanwhile, the provincial government has declared Murree a calamity-hit area after more than 20 tourists died in their vehicles today amid heavy snowfall.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed confirmed the death toll, saying the government has sought help from Pakistan Army and other civil-armed forces to rescue the stranded tourists. According to the local administration, rain and blizzards are forecast tonight in and around Murree, with thunderstorms at a speed of 50-90 kmph and heavy snowfall. The administration has warned the citizens not to leave their homes in severe weather or turn to Murree as severe weather conditions are likely to continue till late at night.