LAHORE: Opposition leaders, including Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari among others, lambasted the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government on Saturday for the Murree tragedy, blaming it for what they called “criminal negligence.”
Terming the incident as “criminal negligence” on part of the administration, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif said the event has exposed the incumbent government, which “cannot even handle a traffic situation”.
یہ وفات نہیں شہریوں کے قتل عمد کے مترادف ہے، سیاحت میں اضافے کاحکومتی پراپگنڈہ سفاکی اور سنگ دلی کی انتہاءہے
مغرب کی مثالیں دینے والوں نے تو مشرقی روایات کی بھی لاج نہیں رکھی
متاثرہ خاندانوں سے دلی ہمدردی اور تعزیت کرتاہوں، ان کے غم میں شریک ہیں
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) January 8, 2022
The PML-N president questioned why when the government “knew” that such heavy snowfall would hit the area, did it not make arrangements to save the people.
“Does this government deserve to be in power if it cannot handle 1,000 cars? If tourists were headed towards Murree in such huge numbers, then why did the government not know about it? Was the administration asleep?” he added.
He added if the incumbent government cannot rescue stranded people, then how can it rid the country of inflation. “Imran Niazi has no moral courage, so at least ministers and their subordinates responsible for this serious criminal negligence should be dismissed,” he added.
On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the tragedy could have been avoided had the tourists been informed of the weather forecast in time.
بہتر ہوتا کہ مری میں سیاحوں کو سنگین صورت حال سے آگاہ کیا جاتا تاکہ ایسا سانحہ رونما نہ ہوتا، چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری
انتظامیہ سیاحوں کی فی الفور مدد کے لیے ہنگامی اقدامات کرے، چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی اپیل
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 8, 2022
The PPP leader expressed sorrow and condoled the deaths of the tourists, adding that the whole country was mourning the tragic incident. He urged the local administration to take immediate steps to help the stranded people.
Meanwhile, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz said the government was not only responsible for counting the number of tourists, but it also has to make necessary arrangements for them as well.
حکومتوں کا کام صرف سیاح گننا نہیں بلکہ ان کے لیے پیشگی انتظامات اور حفاظتی اقدامات کرنا ہے۔ شہباز شریف کے بوٹوں اور خدمت کا مذاق اُڑانے والا اپنے محل میں بیٹھا اپنی گرتی ہوئی حکومت بچانے کی کوششوں میں مصروف ہے۔ یہ اموات برفباری سے نہیں، حکومتی غفلت سے ہوئی ہیں۔
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) January 8, 2022
“The person who mocked Shahbaz Sharif’s boots and service is sitting in his palace trying to save his failing government […] government negligence is behind the deaths, not snowfall.” The PML-N vice-president also prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased.
Murree situation
A rescue operation was underway after at least 22 tourists, stranded in their vehicles, succumbed to the extreme weather during a snowstorm on the night of January 7.
The Punjab government has declared Murree as a calamity-hit area. Taking notice of the chaos and emergency situation, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has directed to open the government’s offices and rest houses for 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.
