PTA announces free calling facility for stranded Murree tourists

KARACHI: In view of an emergency situation in Murree and Galliat areas, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Sunday announced a free on-net calling facility for all those stranded in Murree due to heavy snowfall.

“In view of emergency situation, mobile phone users, currently present in these areas with no balance, have immediately been provided with free on-net calling facility,” the PTA said in a press release.

 

Press Release: In view of emergency situation in Murree and Galliat areas, mobile phone users, currently present in these areas with no balance, have immediately been provided with free on-net calling facility.

— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) January 9, 2022

On the directions of PTA, cellular mobile operators have extended free calling facility on their own network to users, with zero balance, stranded in Galliat areas. Users may contact their concerned operators for more info,” the statement added.

Moreover, PTA has also directed all telecom operators to ensure uninterrupted services to users and keep enough back up arrangements in case of power outages.

Murree roads cleared for all types of traffic

All main roads of calamity-hit Murree hill station have been cleared for all types of traffic including Kuldana-Barian Road, whereas, efforts for evacuating stranded tourists are also underway, the military’s media wing said Sunday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that all main communication arteries of Murree have been cleared for all types of the move including Kuldana-Barian Road.

“After clearance of main roads, army engineers are now focusing road links.” Relief camps and medical facilitates are fully operating and army transport is plying for moving of stranded tourists to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, ISPR added.

Moreover, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) personnel are actively taking part in ongoing rescue and relief operations in Murree.

The air force officials have shifted more than 100 stranded tourists including women and children at the PAF Base Kalabagh and Lower Topa Base.

Murree tragedy

At least 22 tourists who were stranded in their vehicles due to heavy snowfall died of the extreme weather in Murree on Friday night.

According to a report on the Murree tragedy presented to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar by the Rawalpindi administration, more than 100,000 vehicles entered Murree over the past three days. 12,000 of them exited the hill station while the rest got stuck.