District Murree

MURREE | Re News Pakistan Murree, one of Pakistan’s most popular tourist destinations, is set for a major infrastructure upgrade, with 120 link roads planned under the approved Rs1.4735 billion Murree Development Programme. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity between different areas and provide better travel facilities for tourists arriving from across the country. Murree frequently experiences severe traffic jams during peak tourist seasons, holidays and weekends, placing considerable pressure on roads, parking facilities and other urban infrastructure. The broader development programme includes road improvements, urban beautification, heritage preservation and upgrades to the water supply system. These initiatives are intended to transform Murree into a modern, safe and environmentally friendly tourist destination while preserving its natural beauty and historic character. Construction work on several infrastructure projects is already under way. The programme includes widening existing roads and upgrading Murree Road and Kashmir Road to state highway status. Road widening work has started on Upper Jhika Gali, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road. The construction of 120 link roads is expected to improve access between different localities, distribute traffic more efficiently and facilitate smoother movement across the hill station. To address Murree’s persistent parking shortage, the programme also includes the construction of multi-storey parking plazas. These facilities are expected to increase parking capacity, reduce roadside parking and improve traffic management, particularly during periods of heavy tourist arrivals. However, the Murree Road signal-free corridor project has been postponed for one year due to financial constraints. The development programme also places significant emphasis on preserving Murree’s architectural heritage and improving public spaces. The historic Mall Road will undergo restoration, with 23 heritage buildings and 76 shops to be renovated according to their original architectural designs. The Walled City Authority has been allocated Rs550 million for Mall Road’s beautification and the installation of uniform signboards. The initiative aims to enhance the area’s appearance while preserving its traditional architectural identity. Illegal three-storey structures affecting the natural landscape along Mall Road, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road are also scheduled for demolition. Parks and green spaces will be developed in their place to improve the urban environment and protect Murree’s natural beauty.

Murree | ReNews Pakistan A special meeting chaired by Pakistan Muslim League-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Murree reviewed progress on various projects under the Murree Development Plan, with a particular focus on water supply, roads, tourism, environmental protection and urban facilities. Maryam Aurangzeb, Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Murree Development Programme, briefed the meeting on the progress of ongoing development projects in Murree. The meeting was informed that work on major water supply projects was being accelerated on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Completion of four major water supply schemes has increased Murree’s available water supply by 700,000 gallons per day. Following completion of the Dunga Gali Water Supply Project, the area’s water supply has increased from 50,000 gallons to 350,000 gallons per day. Water supply projects in Dhar Jawa, Massot and Khani Gatt have also been completed. The meeting was informed that the bulk water supply mega project from the River Jhelum to Murree has been targeted for completion by December 2028. The project will include seven pumping stations, a 29.6-kilometre pipeline and a water treatment plant. More than 425,000 people in Murree and Kotli Sattian are expected to benefit from the project. Meanwhile, arrangements have been made to continue supplying water to 96,000 households in Murree through bowsers and water tankers. The meeting also reviewed the construction, expansion and rehabilitation of the Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir (RMK) Road, with October 31 set as the deadline for completion of the ongoing works. Officials said a comprehensive programme for the road’s construction, expansion and rehabilitation was being undertaken for the first time in nearly 40 years since 1996. Special measures are also being implemented to prevent landslides, along with the installation of streetlights, road furniture, roadside shoulders and footpaths paved with concrete tiles. A plan was also presented to establish Murree’s first Hill View Park on Mall Road as part of efforts to enhance the area’s appearance and make it more tourist-friendly. Following the removal of encroachments, Murree’s first amphitheatre will be constructed on Mall Road with a seating capacity of 600 people. Walkable areas, a family park, food and merchandise stalls, six gazebos and a dedicated children’s play area will also be developed around the amphitheatre. The meeting was also briefed on the Bansra Gali Wildlife Park project, where an elevated bridge of its kind is being constructed for tourists in Punjab. The bridge will pass through a nature trail, jungle journey, animal kingdom and lion enclosure. Visitors will also be able to access the tiger and leopard houses, Pine Lodge and Wildlife Trade Park. The park will further include an amphitheatre, souvenir shop, food court, eco-lodge and biodiversity park. The meeting also decided in principle to formulate special rules and regulations for shops, hotels and cafés operating along Mall Road. It was also decided to preserve and restore the historic GPO and church buildings in their original condition. Plans were approved to remove unsightly overhead electricity wires and install underground cabling at Jhika Gali, the GPO, Government House and Kashmir Point. The proposal to replace metal shutters at shops along Mall Road and other prominent roads with traditional wooden doors was also agreed upon in principle. The meeting reviewed a proposal to restrict the entry and movement of extremely old and dilapidated vehicles in Murree. A report prepared by Japanese geological experts on the protection of the Jhika Gali site was also presented. According to the report, 296 piles will be installed to protect and stabilise the project site, of which 200 have already been completed. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also directed the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to provide a dedicated electricity line to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to Sambli Hospital.

Murree | Riaz Hussain, ReNews Pakistan Managing Director of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore, Ahmad Usman Javed, visited Murree and inspected various parks and ongoing development projects, directing authorities to complete the Bagh e Shaheedan Park project within the stipulated timeframe. During his visit to the under-construction Bagh e Shaheedan Park, the PHA chief reviewed ongoing construction activities, physical and financial progress, and the facilities were developed at the site. Project Director Shafique Raza, Director Engineering Samavia and the contractor briefed him on the progress of the project. Ahmad Usman Javed said Bagh e Shaheedan Park is being developed on 40 kanals of land at an estimated cost of Rs 521 million. The park will feature a food court, steak house, dancing fountain, tree pots and other recreational and public facilities for residents and tourists. He said the project would include extensive horticultural work along with quality recreational facilities, providing visitors to Murree with additional opportunities for leisure and entertainment. The PHA Managing Director directed the relevant authorities to ensure that construction work is completed within the stipulated period and that the quality of construction materials is not compromised. He stressed that construction speed must be matched by strict adherence to quality standards. During the visit, Ahmad Usman Javed also inspected PIA Park Murree and the Botanical Garden Murree. He said PIA Park, spread over 17 kanals, had already been completed at a cost of Rs 300 million. According to the PHA chief, the Botanical Garden Murree will further expand recreational opportunities in the area and provide residents and tourists with greater access to natural and landscaped spaces. He also directed officials to maintain high standards of facilities, landscaping and horticulture across ongoing and completed park projects in Murree.