Maryam Nawaz Launches Billion-Rupee Murree Development Plan

Murree (Web Desk) – President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting at Government House Murree to review progress on the Murree Development Plan, a landmark initiative involving investments worth billions of rupees.

During the meeting, it was decided to develop Kotli Sattian as Punjab’s newest tourism hub. Approval was granted for 14 tourism-focused projects, including an eco-friendly glamping pod village, a modern paragliding center — the first of its kind in Punjab — a sky glass bridge, and a new chairlift. Authorities were also directed to upgrade the Patriata chairlift and construct a 50-bed hospital in Bhurban to strengthen healthcare facilities.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb briefed the participants on the ongoing and completed initiatives under the development plan. She informed that renovation of 23 historic buildings and 76 shops on Mall Road has been completed, along with a new water supply scheme for the hospital near the bus stand.

Providing details on the Murree Glass Train project, she said bidding for the monorail will take place in March. The project will initially run along a 40-kilometer route from Lake View Park to Murree, with an in-principle decision taken to extend it from Islamabad Airport to Muzaffarabad in the future.

The meeting also approved the restoration of Murree’s historic structures in line with their original architectural designs and the creation of a dedicated department for preservation of the city’s cultural heritage. Plans were finalized to establish standardized hotels at a designated location and to develop a Murree Hotel Complex under a public-private partnership model.

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To protect Murree’s natural beauty, the government decided to remove illegally constructed three-storey buildings and replace them with parks and green spaces. Similar structures in Upper Jhika Gali, Mall Road, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road will also be removed to improve road width and traffic flow.

Reviewing water supply projects, the meeting was informed that an additional 2.8 million gallons of water have been arranged, increasing daily supply duration from one hour to up to seven hours. Phase-I of the rainwater harvesting project has been completed successfully, while Phase-II will benefit 3,000 households. The chief minister directed authorities to replicate the rainwater harvesting initiative in Rawalpindi.

Participants were also briefed on the restoration of eco-parks, botanical gardens, and major road rehabilitation projects. In-principle approval was given to upgrade the Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir Road into a modern highway. It was shared that 70 roads have already been completed, while construction of 120 additional roads is underway in the second phase.

The meeting was told that modern snow-removal machinery has significantly improved winter operations in Murree. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Shirazi and his team for effective management during recent snowfall, noting improved drainage systems, city beautification efforts, and active Tourist Force facilitation for visitors.