Murree (Web Desk): Heavy, intermittent snowfall in Murree, popularly known as ‘Malka-e-Kohsar’ (Queen of the Hills), and surrounding areas has brought daily life to a near standstill.
In response to the worsening conditions, local authorities have temporarily barred tourists from entering the hill station and accelerated operations to reopen key connecting roads.
For the safety of travelers, all major routes from Islamabad to Murree, including the Expressway and Old Murree Road, have been closed to regular traffic.
Highway department teams, supported by heavy machinery, are working continuously to clear snow from road surfaces. However, ongoing snowfall and blizzard-like conditions are making clearance efforts slow and difficult.
Police personnel have been deployed at entry points to Murree, where they are turning back visitors to prevent unnecessary congestion inside the city.
The traffic authorities have urged the public to avoid traveling to the hill resort during the severe weather.
A spokesperson for the traffic police warned that vehicles are at risk of skidding due to icy road conditions, appealing to citizens to cooperate with authorities in the interest of their own safety and that of their families.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that the current spell of snowfall may persist for the next 24 hours.
Once the weather system subsides, authorities expect to complete full road clearance operations.