Pakistan sets up a committee to investigate the deaths of foreigners in Murree | Stories

The committee has one week to review the status after at least 21 people have died from the cold.

Karachi, Pakistan A committee has been set up by the Pakistani government to investigate the cause of at least 21 foreigners killed Traffic congestion due to snow at the top of Mount Murree.

On Sunday, the Punjab provincial government announced the formation of a five-member committee that will “complete its investigation and recognition of the responsibility. [within] seven days, ”said Azhar Mashwani, a spokesman for the provincial government.

The committee will investigate, among other things, whether emergency warnings were issued and published in full, whether there were traffic control measures in the popular tourist town and why traffic checks were not stopped once the number of visitors became “unstable”, according to a government document.

According to government figures, more than 157,000 vehicles, mostly tourists, entered Murree between Friday and Saturday, when snow began to fall.

The mountaineering is a popular tourist destination, located about 40km (25 miles) from the Pakistani capital Islamabad and attracts thousands of visitors a year.

On Friday, several oncoming vehicles were blocked by heavy snow on the roads that lined the town, rescue officials said. at least 21 people died all night long when they were unable to receive food or medical treatment.

On Saturday, the government sent troops to assist roadblocks and rescue people and to close the entrance and exits in the area until the work was completed.

Later on Sunday, the military announced that all roads had been cleared of hail and other debris, according to the report.

Roads, however, were closed due to traffic Monday by state regulations.

According to the government, all tourists who need help have been rescued from their vehicles, although it is not known how many have been evacuated from the relief camps set up in the area.

The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has become increasingly angry after the incident, with many criticizing his response and preparing for the worst weather.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister of Punjab, Usman Buzdar, announced plans to upgrade the Murree administrative center, upgrade his administration, establish new police stations and build two parking lots in the busiest part of the town.