RAWALPINDI: The Murree district administration on Saturday lifted the temporary ban on the entry of vehicles into the hill station following an improvement in weather conditions. The restriction had been imposed after nearly two feet of snowfall disrupted road movement and power supply across the region. Authorities confirmed that the ban was withdrawn early in the morning to facilitate tourists and residents.
Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Shirazi said that all main roads in Murree have been reopened, while efforts are ongoing to clear snow from link roads. He stated that the district administration is working in close coordination with relevant departments to ensure uninterrupted road access and public safety amid changing weather conditions.
The deputy commissioner added that more rain and snowfall are expected in the coming days, however adequate arrangements have been made to deal with any emergency. He assured that there is no shortage of food supplies and hospitals are fully prepared with life saving medicines and emergency facilities.
Electricity supply, which was disrupted due to snowfall, has been restored in around 76 percent of Murree. Power has been resumed in areas including Sunny Bank, Patriata, Upper Topa, TDCP and PAF. However, several localities such as Kohala, Barrian, Numble, Gharial, Dehla and parts of Kuldana, Company Bagh, Pindi Point and Kotli Sattian are still facing outages.
The National Highways and Motorway Police confirmed that the Murree Expressway has been opened for limited traffic following improved conditions. Authorities cautioned that the road may be closed again if weather deteriorates or traffic pressure increases, urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Authority reported that national highways across the country have largely been restored despite heavy snowfall and an unprecedented influx of tourists. Major routes in Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and the northern regions are fully open, while clearance operations continue on select stretches in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure safe and smooth travel.
