Punjab govt removes 15 top officers for Murree tragedy

MURREE: On the recommendations of the inquiry report, the Punjab government has held 15 top administrative officers responsible of Murree tragedy and removed them from their posts with immediate effect. The officials, who have bèen found involved in the criminal negligence that resulted in Murree tragedy will face disciplinary action also. The officials who have been removed from their positions for being responsible of Murree tragedy included Commissioner Rawalpindi, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Chief Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi, Assistant Commissioner Rawalpindi, Assistant Commissioner Murree and Deputy Police Officer Murree.
Chief minister Punjab, Usman Buzdar, on Wednesday in a media statement said top administrative officers of Rawalpindi Division have been removed from their posts on the recommendations of the inquiry committee. The chief minister said the officers who have been found responsible of criminal negligence that caused loss of many human lives will face disciplinary action. He noted Murree tragedy was a worse tragedy in Pakistan’s history and its responsible will get examplary punishment. He said by taking action against who have committed negligence in the case, Punjab government fulfilled its promise with the nation of holding transparent and impartial inquiry into Murree tragedy and take action against all those who were its responsible irrespective of their positions .
Buzdar had visited Murree in 24 hours after the incident and ordered to form an inquiry committee to identify those who were responsible of the tragedy.
Murree had witnessed worst ever tragedy when thousands of vehicles of tourists had stranded there in snowstorm early this month. The storm and its bitterness claimed 23 lives of the tourists who could not get timely help from the Murree administration in trouble. The hotel mafia in Murree, instead extending helping hand to protect the tourists’ lives, had also played a dirty role by jacking up room rent and edible rates. The Punjab government is also going to take action against Murree hotel mafia for its this inhuman behaviour in times when it was supposed to help protect lives of tourists in troubled times.