Package for Murree

2026-02-19 - 23:23

A multi-billion-rupee development package – described as the largest in Murree’s history – was Wednesday approved in a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League (N) President Nawaz Sharif. It was decided to develop Kotli Sattian as Punjab’s newest and most modern tourism hub. A decision in principle was taken to upgrade Rawalpindi, Murree and Kashmir Road into a state-of-the-art highway. Murree, which is now a district and its tehsil Kotli Sattian, have immense tourist attractions but connectivity and related facilities proved a major hurdle in the way of efforts aimed at tourism promotion in the region. It is, therefore, appreciable that the Punjab Government has prepared a comprehensive package that is expected to transform both Murree and Kotli Sattian as attractive tourist destinations. The keen interest of the provincial government is explained by the fact that already construction and rehabilitation of 70 roads in Murree and adjoining areas has been completed, while 120 roads are under development in the second phase. The meeting agreed to extend the Murree Glass Train project from the Islamabad Airport to Muzaffarabad. Bidding for the monorail component will open in March. The train will operate on a 40-kilometre route from the Lake View Park to the Murree Bus Stand. Under a public-private partnership, a Murree hotel complex was planned for a designated location, which will go a long way in easing the accommodation problem for tourists. As for Kotli Sattian, 14 tourism schemes for the area, along with a new chairlift project have been approved besides plans for an eco-friendly village and resort. Punjab’s first modern paragliding centre and a sky glass bridge for tourists will be set up at Kotli Sattian. It would be appropriate if improvement work of Rawalpindi-Kotli Sattian road is expanded to include its remaining portions and the tourism highway is completed as planned.